used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
Camford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
frontsnounUS /frʌnts/
plural of “front” — the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
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 Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
out-at-elbows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
PaintersnounUS /ˈpeɪntərz/
plural of “painter” — an artist who paints
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
rebuiltverbUS /riˈbɪlt/
inflected form of “rebuild” — build again
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
residentiallyadverb
used as a residence
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
residentsnounUS /ˈrezɪdənts/
plural of “resident” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
slumnounUS /slʌm/
a district of a city marked by poverty and inferior living conditions
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I should not myself have cared to live in Camford Street, though it had many residents.
undesirableadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
not wanted
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
unsavouryadjective
morally offensive
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was in the heart, if not exactly of a slum, then certainly of an unsavoury district.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Its surroundings, residentially speaking, were about as undesirable as they could have been.
whitewashers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Camford Street itself was long, dreary, out-at-elbows, old enough to look as if it would be improved by being rebuilt.
a late time of life
From this reading Painters, whitewashers, people of that kind, had not been down that way for years; that was obvious from the fronts of the houses.
