adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
apprehensionsnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃənz/
plural of “apprehension” — fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
billowingadjectiveUS /ˈbɪloʊɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
breathsnounUS /breθs/
plural of “breath” — the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/
touched lightly in passing; grazed against
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
carnounUS /kɑːr/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
certaintynounUS /ˈsɜːrtənti/
the state of being certain
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
cloudverbUS /klaʊd/
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
curtainnounUS /ˈkɜːrtən/
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
distractionsnounUS /dɪˈstrækʃənz/
plural of “distraction” — mental turmoil
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
drawingnounUS /ˈdrɔːɪŋ/
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
ElizabethnounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
exultantadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzʌltənt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
fearsnounUS /fɪrz/
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
flitverbUS /flɪt/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
flyingadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/
moving swiftly
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
glassnounUS /ɡlæs/
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
hilltopsnounUS /ˈhɪltɑːps/
plural of “hilltop” — the peak of a hill
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
loomingverbUS /ˈluːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
miseriesnounUS /ˈmɪzəriz/
plural of “misery” — a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
peacenounUS /piːs/
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
phantomnounUS /ˈfæn.təm/
A ghost or apparition; a figment of the imagination or a hidden dweller.
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
poundingnounUS /ˈpaʊndɪŋ/
repeated heavy blows
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
railsnounUS /reɪlz/
a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
relaxverbUS /rɪˈlæks/
become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
rhythmicaladjective
recurring with measured regularity
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
roarverbUS /rɔːr/
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
rollverbUS /roʊl/
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
rushingnounUS /ˈrʌʃɪŋ/
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
shamesnounUS /ʃeɪmz/
plural of “shame” — a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
shutverbUS /ʃʌt/
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
sleeping-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
smokenounUS /smoʊk/
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
SometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
spectraladjectiveUS /ˈspektrəl/
of or relating to a spectrum
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
spinningnounUS /ˈspɪnɪŋ/
creating thread
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/
make steady
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
stiffadjectiveUS /stɪf/
not moving or operating freely
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
sweptadjectiveUS /swept/
possessing sweep
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
swungverbUS /swʌŋ/
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading She lay there on her pillows, looking at the flying glimmer of the night and drawing long breaths of peace.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
thunderousadjectiveUS /ˈθʌndərəs/
loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
treesnounUS /triːz/
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
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 All night long Elizabeth watched a phantom landscape flit past the window of the sleeping-car.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sometimes a cloud of smoke, shot through with sparks, brushed the glass like a billowing curtain, and sometimes the thunderous darkness of a tunnel swept between her and spectral trees or looming hilltops.
wordlessadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrdləs/
expressed without speech
From this reading Behind the stiff green curtains, that swung in and out, in and out, to the long roll of the car, there were no distractions, no fears of interruption, no listening apprehensions; she could relax into the wordless and exultant certainty of her purpose.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The steady, rhythmical pounding of the wheels, the dull, rushing roar of the rails, the black, spinning country outside her window, shut away her old world of miseries and shames.
