adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The shade had dwindled to the breadth of a mere line.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
adobenounUS /əˈdoʊbi/
the clay from which adobe bricks are made
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
breadthnounUS /bredθ/
the capacity to understand a broad range of topics
From this reading The shade had dwindled to the breadth of a mere line.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
circumferencenounUS /ˌsɜːrˈkʌmfrəns/
the size of something as given by the distance around it
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
contractingnounUS /ˈkɑːntræktɪŋ/
becoming infected
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
directlyadverbUS /dərˈektli/
without deviation
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
droopedverbUS /druːpt/
past form of “droop” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
drowsingadjective
half asleep
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
dwindledverbUS /ˈdwɪndəld/
past form of “dwindle” — become smaller or lose substance
From this reading The shade had dwindled to the breadth of a mere line.
eucalyptusnounUS /ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs/
wood of any of various eucalyptus trees valued as timber
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
glorynounUS /ˈɡlɔːri/
a state of high honor
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
GuadalajaranounUS /ˌɡwɑːdʌləˈhɑːrə/
a city in southwestern Mexico; a popular health resort and site of architecture from the Spanish colonial era
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
heatnounUS /hiːt/
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
leavesnounUS /liːvz/
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
linenounUS /laɪn/
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The shade had dwindled to the breadth of a mere line.
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/
being nothing more than specified
From this reading The shade had dwindled to the breadth of a mere line.
motionlessadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊʃənləs/
not in physical motion
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
noonnounUS /nuːn/
the middle of the day
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
oilyadjectiveUS /ˈɔɪli/
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
PlazanounUS /ˈplɑːzə/
a public square with room for pedestrians
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
plummetsnounUS /ˈplʌməts/
plural of “plummet” — the metal bob of a plumb line
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
poisedadjectiveUS /pɔɪzd/
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
radiatedverbUS /ˈreɪdieɪtɪd/
past form of “radiate” — send out rays or waves
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
scorchingadjectiveUS /ˈskɔːrtʃɪŋ/
hot and dry enough to burn or parch a surface
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The shade had dwindled to the breadth of a mere line.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
shimmerverbUS /ˈʃɪmər/
shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
shrunkverbUS /ʃrʌŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
sidewalksnounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːks/
plural of “sidewalk” — walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
sparseadjectiveUS /spɑːrs/
not dense
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/
successive (without a break)
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
treesnounUS /triːz/
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading The shadows of these trees had shrunk to their smallest circumference, contracting close about the trunks.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The leaves of the eucalyptus trees around the Plaza drooped motionless, limp and relaxed under the scorching, searching blaze.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The adobe walls and sparse brick sidewalks of the drowsing town radiated the heat in an oily, quivering shimmer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading It was high noon, and the rays of the sun, that hung poised directly overhead in an intolerable white glory, fell straight as plummets upon the roofs and streets of Guadalajara.
