used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
bestirred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
cottagesnounUS /ˈkɑːtɪdʒɪz/
plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
declineverbUS /dɪˈklaɪn/
grow worse
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
Erard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
Erards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
factorynounUS /ˈfæktəri/
a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
gradualadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəl/
proceeding in small stages
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
not in action or at work
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
Jennings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
LegaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/
established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
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 He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
marshnounUS /mɑːrʃ/
low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
MollynounUS /ˈmɑːli/
popular aquarium fish
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
operativeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpərətɪv/
being in force or having or exerting force
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
ParkernounUS /ˈpɑːrkər/
United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
piano-factory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
pierceverbUS /pɪrs/
cut or make a way through
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
squalornounUS /ˈskwɑːlər/
sordid dirtiness
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
stockyardsnounUS /ˈstɑːkjɑːrdz/
plural of “stockyard” — enclosed yard where cattle, pigs, horses, or sheep are kept temporarily
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
ThorntonnounUS /ˈθɔːrntən/
American architect (1759-1828)
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The business of the Legal Aid Society had brought Thornton Jennings to know one Peter Erard, an operative in a piano-factory.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
at the time that
From this reading Jennings had asked Molly Parker to visit the Erards, when Peter met with an accident at the factory, that ended finally in a fever and a gradual decline.
in or at the place that
From this reading In the section where the Erards lived, the narrow frame cottages were sunk below the level of the street, which seemed to have bestirred itself recently and risen above the squalor of the marsh.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he was idle Jennings and Miss Parker did what they could for him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He lived with his father, a helpless old man, on one of the long traffic streets which pierce the stockyards district.
