used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
in actual fact
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
apertures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
bare-footed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
Barton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
edificenounUS /ˈedəfəs/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
set up or found
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
hintedverbUS /ˈhɪntəd/
past form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
hollowlyadverb
in a hollow manner
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
impendingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpendɪŋ/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
lightingnounUS /ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
having abundant light or illumination
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
marineadjectiveUS /mərˈiːn/
of or relating to the sea
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
moted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
orangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
pervadedverbUS /pərˈveɪdɪd/
past form of “pervade” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
on the contrary
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
sacristannoun
an officer of the church who is in charge of sacred objects
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
Sebastian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
seven-thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
SparrowsnounUS /ˈsperoʊz/
plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
move an implement through
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
sunbeams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
transparentadjectiveUS /trænˈsperənt/
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
violetnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading Sparrows flashed across the moted sunbeams and lost themselves among the violet and orange shadows of the lantern.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The early morning sunlight streamed through the apertures, while the noise of street traffic outside echoed hollowly through the dusty, empty silence of the church.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading A dirty, bare-footed sacristan in marine blue cotton drawers and a transparent shirt was opening windows and lighting a few candles about the high altar.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He found the edifice empty but pervaded with a general stir which hinted at impending events.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Judge Barton had to cut short his morning ride in order to reach the San Sebastian church at seven-thirty, but he admitted to himself that he would have gone without his daily exercise rather than have missed the wedding; and he was actually ten minutes early.
