used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
(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 It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
boat-train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
bookstallnoun
a shop where books are sold
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
ChannelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
clerksnounUS /klɜːrks/
plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
compulsionnounUS /kəmˈpʌlʃən/
an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
ConsequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
discreetadjectiveUS /dɪˈskriːt/
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
exhibitverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/
show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
feweradjectiveUS /ˈfjuːər/
(comparative of “few” used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
gas-lamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
gustsnounUS /ɡʌsts/
plural of “gust” — a strong current of air
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
haughtyadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːti/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
importantlyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəntli/
in an important way or to an important degree
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
inconveniencesnounUS /ˌɪnkənˈviːnjənsɪz/
plural of “inconvenience” — an inconvenient discomfort
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
individualsnounUS /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəlz/
plural of “individual” — a human being
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
go away from a place
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
loungers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
luggagenounUS /ˈlʌɡədʒ/
cases used to carry belongings when traveling
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
pilesnounUS /paɪlz/
venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
portersnounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
determined
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
seeing-off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
smashingnounUS /ˈsmæʃɪŋ/
the act of breaking something into small pieces
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
terrorsnounUS /ˈterərz/
plural of “terror” — an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But the porters, and the friends engaged in the ceremony of seeing-off, and the loungers, and the bookstall clerks--these individuals were not preoccupied by thoughts of intimate inconveniences before midnight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
create by training and teaching
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
VictorianounUS /vɪkˈtɔːriə/
queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The weather was wild.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
westerlyadverbUS /ˈwestərli/
toward the west
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading It had been wet all day, and the rain came smashing down, driven by the great gusts of a genuine westerly gale.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
which person or people
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The weather was wild.
wind-swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Consequently there were fewer passengers than usual, and those people who by choice or compulsion had resolved to front the terrors of the Channel passage had a preoccupied look as they hurried importantly to and fro amid piles of luggage and groups of loungers on the wind-swept platform beneath the flickering gas-lamps.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading THE TRAIN The boat-train was due to leave in ten minutes, and the platform at Victoria Station (how changed since then!) showed that scene of discreet and haughty excitement which it was wont to exhibit about nine o'clock every evening in those days.
