used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
alleviationnounUS /əˌliːviˈeɪʃən/
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
alleynounUS /ˈæli/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
alluringadjectiveUS /əˈlʊrɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
ASSAULTnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
beholdingnounUS /bɪˈhoʊldɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
terminate
From this reading In such situations, the slightest whisper is enough to break the spell.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
conversingverbUS /kənˈvɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
dizzinessnounUS /ˈdɪzinəs/
a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
emergeverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/
come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading In such situations, the slightest whisper is enough to break the spell.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In such situations, the slightest whisper is enough to break the spell.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
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 He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
MarquisnounUS /ˌmɑːrˈkiː/
humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
the force of workers available
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
noisomeadjective
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
perplexities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
René
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
reprehensivelyadverb
in a shameful manner
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading In such situations, the slightest whisper is enough to break the spell.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading In such situations, the slightest whisper is enough to break the spell.
sorrowsnounUS /ˈsɑːroʊz/
plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading In such situations, the slightest whisper is enough to break the spell.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In such situations, the slightest whisper is enough to break the spell.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
ThamesnounUS /temz/
the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A chill crept over him, then a dizziness, as he gazed into the glistening, alluring current of the Thames.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Marquis started on beholding two men emerge from a noisome alley, conversing in French.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading THE ASSAULT Telling himself that he was reprehensively weak in failing to resist his passion, René gazed out upon the river.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He reflected that its dark surface had closed over many human sorrows and perplexities which seemed beyond alleviation.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading In such situations, the slightest whisper is enough to break the spell.
