used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading The low-ceiled room, too, gained in its sordid aspect.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
claimingverbUS /ˈkleɪmɪŋ/
-ing form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
degradationnounUS /ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃən/
changing to a lower state (a less respected state)
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
DIRTYadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
every person
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
fitfullyadverbUS /ˈfɪtfəli/
in a fitful manner
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading The low-ceiled room, too, gained in its sordid aspect.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The low-ceiled room, too, gained in its sordid aspect.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The low-ceiled room, too, gained in its sordid aspect.
lamplightnoun
light from a lamp
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
low-ceiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The low-ceiled room, too, gained in its sordid aspect.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
O'BRIENnounUS /oʊˈbraɪɪn/
Irish writer (born in 1932)
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
O'Brien'snounUS /oʊˈbraɪɪnz/
possessive form of “o'brien” — Irish writer (born in 1932)
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
proprietornounUS /prəˈpraɪətər/
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
radiancenounUS /ˈreɪdiːəns/
the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
raftersnounUS /ˈræftərz/
plural of “rafter” — one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
repulsiveadjectiveUS /riˈpʌlsɪv/
offensive to the mind
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The low-ceiled room, too, gained in its sordid aspect.
saloonnounUS /səˈluːn/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
sordidadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrdəd/
morally degraded
From this reading The low-ceiled room, too, gained in its sordid aspect.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The low-ceiled room, too, gained in its sordid aspect.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HOUSE OF DIRTY O'BRIEN It was late at night.
which person or people
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dirty O'Brien's saloon was a fitting setting for a proprietor with such a name.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading An atmosphere of moral degradation looked out from every shadowy corner, claiming the features of everybody who came within the dull radiance of the two cheap oil lamps swinging from the rafters.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The yellow lamplight left hard faces almost repulsive under the fantastic shadows it so fitfully impressed upon them.
