used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
in actual fact
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
(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 A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
balconynounUS /ˈbælkəni/
an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
blossomsnounUS /ˈblɑːsəmz/
plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
blotnounUS /blɑːt/
a blemish made by dirt
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
conjureverbUS /ˈkɑːndʒər/
summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
gotten under control
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
drabadjectiveUS /dræb/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
drizzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪzəlɪŋ/
(of rain) falling lightly in very small drops
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
EgyptnounUS /ˈiːdʒəpt/
a republic in northeastern Africa known as the United Arab Republic until 1971; site of an ancient civilization that flourished from 2600 to 30 BC
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
the organ of sight
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
a quick look
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
graynessnoun
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
hall-porter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
immediately past
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
lobbynounUS /ˈlɑːbi/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
mind'snounUS /maɪndz/
possessive form of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
NilenounUS /naɪl/
the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern Africa into the Mediterranean; the Nile River valley in Egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
OppressedadjectiveUS /əˈprest/
burdened psychologically or mentally
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
overgrownadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈɡroʊn/
covered with growing plants
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
the possibility of future success
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
responsibleadjectiveUS /riˈspɑːnsəbəl/
worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
From this reading The brown bag in his hand contained the brass box which actually was responsible for our presence in London.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
SI-FAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
unaccountableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/
not to be accounted for or explained
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
vaultnounUS /vɒlt/
An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE SI-FAN MOVE A slight drizzling rain was falling as Smith entered the cab which the hall-porter had summoned.
a Caucasian
From this reading A slight mental effort was sufficient to blot out that drab prospect and to conjure up before my mind's eye a balcony overlooking the Nile--a glimpse of dusty palms, a white wall overgrown with purple blossoms, and above all the dazzling vault of Egypt.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The last glimpse I had of him through the glass of the closed window showed him striking a match to light his pipe--which he rarely allowed to grow cool.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Oppressed with an unaccountable weariness of spirit, I stood within the lobby looking out upon the grayness of London in November.
