adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
arteriesnounUS /ˈɑːrtəriz/
plural of “artery” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
brownnounUS /braʊn/
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
cablesnounUS /ˈkeɪbəlz/
plural of “cable” — a telegram sent abroad
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
clamourverbUS /ˈklæmər/
utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
convergingnounUS /kənˈvɜːrdʒɪŋ/
the act of converging (coming closer)
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
Cromer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
crossingsnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋz/
plural of “crossing” — traveling across
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
curtainnounUS /ˈkɜːrtən/
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
DrakenounUS /dreɪk/
English explorer and admiral who was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and who helped to defeat the Spanish Armada (1540-1596)
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
Falmouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
foreignadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrən/
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
fourthnounUS /fɔːrθ/
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
galanty-show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
guidenounUS /ɡaɪd/
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
half-a-mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
haloes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'London,' he said to himself, 'I live here,' and laughed unappalled.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading 'London,' he said to himself, 'I live here,' and laughed unappalled.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading 'London,' he said to himself, 'I live here,' and laughed unappalled.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'London,' he said to himself, 'I live here,' and laughed unappalled.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
laughedverbUS /læft/
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading 'London,' he said to himself, 'I live here,' and laughed unappalled.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
ListeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
litadjectiveUS /lɪt/
provided with artificial light
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
liveverbUS /laɪv/
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading 'London,' he said to himself, 'I live here,' and laughed unappalled.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
mapverbUS /mæp/
make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
opaqueadjectiveUS /oʊˈpeɪk/
not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
perceptibleadjectiveUS /pərˈseptəbəl/
capable of being perceived by the mind or senses
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
pin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
quartersnounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərz/
housing available for people to live in
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
railwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
rememberedverbUS /rɪˈmembərd/
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
rumbleverbUS /ˈrʌmbəl/
make a low noise
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'London,' he said to himself, 'I live here,' and laughed unappalled.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
somewhereadverbUS /ˈsʌmwer/
in or at or to some place
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
spider-threads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
spunverbUS /spʌn/
inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
SquareverbUS /skwer/
make square
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
subterraneanadjectiveUS /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
thickeningadjectiveUS /ˈθɪkənɪŋ/
accumulating and becoming more intense
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
tinyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪni/
very small
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From beneath rose the bustle of the streets, perceptible only to Drake, upon the fourth floor, as a subterranean rumble.
TrafalgarnounUS /trəˈfælɡər/
a naval battle in 1805 off the southwest coast of Spain; the French and Spanish fleets were defeated by the English under Nelson (who was mortally wounded)
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
unappalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'London,' he said to himself, 'I live here,' and laughed unappalled.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
vanishedadjectiveUS /ˈvænɪʃt/
having passed out of existence
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
WakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading Waking up six hours later, Drake looked out upon a brown curtain of London fog.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The lamps were lit at the crossings in Trafalgar Square--half-a-mile distant they seemed, opaque haloes about a pin's point of flame, and people passing in the light of them loomed and vanished like the figures of a galanty-show.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
world'snounUS /wɜːrldz/
possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Listening to the clamour, he remembered a map, seen somewhere in a railway guide, a map of England with the foreign cables, tiny spider-threads spun to the four quarters and thickening to a solid column at Falmouth and Cromer, the world's arteries, he liked to think, converging to its heart.
