used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
aimlesslyadverbUS /ˈeɪmləsli/
without aim; in an aimless manner
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
(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 All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
completely unclothed
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
Davos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
dissipatedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪsəpeɪtɪd/
unrestrained by convention or morality
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
destroyed or killed
From this reading All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
Gurnet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
immaculateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmækjuːlɪt/
completely neat and clean
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
laundrynounUS /ˈlɔːndri/
garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
lovelinessnoun
the quality of being good looking and attractive
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
used to form the superlative
From this reading All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
and nothing more
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
reappearedverbUS /ˌriːəˈpɪrd/
past form of “reappear” — appear again
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
shopsnounUS /ʃɑːps/
plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
sportnounUS /spɔːrt/
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
not in physical motion
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
successfullyadverbUS /səkˈsesfəli/
with success; in a successful manner
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
thawnounUS /θɔː/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
touristnounUS /ˈtʊrəst/
someone who travels for pleasure
From this reading All the sport people had gone, the streets were half empty, and most of the tourist shops were shut.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
precisely as stated
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
washerwomannoun
a working woman who takes in washing
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Half of the snow slopes were already bare, the roads were a sea of mud, and the valley was as dingy as if a careless washerwoman had upset a basket of dirty linen on her way to the laundry.
Winn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winn had put up at the nearest hotel and made the earliest possible appointment with Dr. Gurnet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Only the very ill had reappeared; they crept aimlessly about in the sunshine with wonder in their eyes that they were still alive.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had been afraid that Davos would be beautiful, but the thaw had successfully dissipated its immaculate loveliness.
