used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
(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 He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
alleywaynounUS /ˈæliweɪ/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, ETC.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
blotchnounUS /blɑːttʃ/
an irregularly shaped spot
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
BowerynounUS /ˈbaʊəri/
a street in Manhattan noted for cheap hotels frequented by homeless derelicts
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
bulking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
give a description of
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, ETC.
Flopper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Flopper moved.
floppingverbUS /ˈflɑːpɪŋ/
inflected form of “flop” — fall loosely
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
formlessadjective
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading AUTHOR OF GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, ETC.
HATHauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading AUTHOR OF GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, ETC.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
kneeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
lairnounUS /ler/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading AUTHOR OF GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, ETC.
luridadjectiveUS /ˈlʊrəd/
horrible in fierceness or savagery
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading AUTHOR OF GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, ETC.
misshapenadjectiveUS /mɪsˈʃeɪpən/
so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The Flopper moved.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
not any; not one
From this reading AUTHOR OF GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, ETC.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, ETC.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/
moving to a position on a surface
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
posturenounUS /ˈpɑːstʃər/
the arrangement of the body and its limbs
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
repulsiveadjectiveUS /riˈpʌlsɪv/
offensive to the mind
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
a special situation
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
toenounUS /toʊ/
one of the digits of the foot
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a misshapen thing, bulking a black blotch in the night at the entrance of the dark alleyway--like some lurking creature in its lair.
wobbledverbUS /ˈwɑːbəld/
past form of “wobble” — move unsteadily
From this reading He came out from the alleyway onto the pavement, into the lurid lights of the Bowery, flopping along knee to toe on one leg, dragging the other leg behind him--and the leg he dragged was limp and wobbled from the knee.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He neither stood, nor kneeled, nor sat--no single word would describe his posture--he combined all three in a sort of repulsive, formless heap.
