Chapter XXII · Mrs. Plornish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

(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 The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading That is the only way the long and barren halls were heated—by the steam from the wash-boilers.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

past form of “clean” — make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

a specialized division of a large organization

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

past form of “free” — grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

the head of a state government

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

plural of “gutter” — a channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading That is the only way the long and barren halls were heated—by the steam from the wash-boilers.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

made warm or hot (“het” is a dialectal variant of “heated”)

From this reading That is the only way the long and barren halls were heated—by the steam from the wash-boilers.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading That is the only way the long and barren halls were heated—by the steam from the wash-boilers.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

and nothing more

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading That is the only way the long and barren halls were heated—by the steam from the wash-boilers.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

occupying a socioeconomic position intermediate between those of the lower classes and the wealthy

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

and nothing more

From this reading That is the only way the long and barren halls were heated—by the steam from the wash-boilers.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

comparative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

smoke and exhale strongly

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

plural of “sewer” — a waste pipe that carries away sewage or surface water

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

plural of “sidewalk” — walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

morally degraded

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

travel by means of steam power

From this reading That is the only way the long and barren halls were heated—by the steam from the wash-boilers.

filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Governor Street was just as dirty and squalid as any other tenement-house street in the poorer section of a middle-class city.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That is the only way the long and barren halls were heated—by the steam from the wash-boilers.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The street-cleaning department had given up all hope before they reached Governor Street, and the middle of the way was a series of ridges and mountains of heaped-up, dirty, frozen snow.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading That is the only way the long and barren halls were heated—by the steam from the wash-boilers.

at the time that

From this reading The snow had been cleaned from the sidewalks, and the gutters freed so that the melting ice could run off by way of the sewers when the sun was kind; but the way to Number 93 was not a pleasant one to travel.

in the company of; together with

From this reading However, Laura and Jess, with little Maggie, reached the door in question in a few minutes, A puff of steamy air—the essence of countless washings—met the girls as the lower door was pushed open.