adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
admittedverbUS /ədˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
awokeverbUS /əˈwoʊk/
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was a decision to be made.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
button-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
carnationnounUS /kɑːrˈneɪʃən/
Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
clovenounUS /kloʊv/
aromatic flower bud of a clove tree; yields a spice
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
decisionnounUS /dɪˈsɪʒən/
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading There was a decision to be made.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
ENDnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
exhaustedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
fixverbUS /fɪks/
restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
gazenounUS /ɡeɪz/
a long fixed look
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
God-sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
grassverbUS /ɡræs/
shoot down, of birds
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There was a decision to be made.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
midnightnounUS /ˈmɪdnaɪt/
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
odournounUS /ˈoʊdər/
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
queeradjectiveUS /kwɪr/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
removedadjectiveUS /riˈmuːvd/
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
roomsnounUS /ruːmz/
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
Shelton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
spicenounUS /spaɪs/
aromatic substances of vegetable origin used as a preservative
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a decision to be made.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
trancenounUS /træns/
a psychological state induced by (or as if induced by) a magical incantation
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
unairedadjective
lacking fresh air
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Shelton fixed his eyes on that outside darkness, as one lost man might fix his eyes upon another.
waftedverbUS /ˈwɑːftɪd/
past form of “waft” — be driven or carried along, as by the air
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a decision to be made.
whiffnounUS /wɪf/
a short light gust of air
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The curtains and blinds had been removed for cleaning, and the tall windows admitted the night's staring gaze.
witheredadjectiveUS /ˈwɪðərd/
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
From this reading An unaired, dusty odour clung about the room, but, like some God-sent whiff of grass or flowers wafted to one sometimes in the streets, a perfume came to him, the spice from the withered clove carnation still clinging, to his button-hole; and he suddenly awoke from his queer trance.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE END He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair.
