used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
abidingadjectiveUS /əˈbaɪdɪŋ/
lasting a long time
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
for the reason that
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Beneath these grey walls as the years pass slowly the illusions grow.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
CambridgenounUS /ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ/
a university in England
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
CRAVENadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪvən/
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
disciplinenounUS /ˈdɪsəplən/
a branch of knowledge
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
elaborationnounUS /ɪˌlæbərˈeɪʃən/
addition of extra material or illustration or clarifying detail
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
essentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/
absolutely necessary; vitally necessary
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Beneath these grey walls as the years pass slowly the illusions grow.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Beneath these grey walls as the years pass slowly the illusions grow.
happilyadverbUS /ˈhæpəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
illusionsnounUS /ˌɪˈluːʒənz/
plural of “illusion” — an erroneous mental representation
From this reading Beneath these grey walls as the years pass slowly the illusions grow.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
indecentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdiːsənt/
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
IntoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
maintenancenounUS /ˈmeɪntənəns/
activity involved in maintaining something in good working order
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
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 Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
MARGARET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
melodramanounUS /ˈmelədrɑːmə/
an extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
the force of workers available
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
not any; not one
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
go across or through
From this reading Beneath these grey walls as the years pass slowly the illusions grow.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
reminiscencenounUS /ˌreməˈnɪsəns/
a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
resoundingadjectiveUS /riˈsaʊndɪŋ/
characterized by resonance
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Beneath these grey walls as the years pass slowly the illusions grow.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
speculativeadjectiveUS /ˈspekjələtɪv/
not financially safe or secure
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
moving very fast
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
in or at that place or location
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It is because Cambridge is the bridge between stern discipline and pleasant freedom that it is so happily remembered; but there are those who adopt Cambridge as their abiding home, and it is for these that real life is impossible.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MARGARET CRAVEN It is essential to the maintenance of the Cambridge spirit that there should be no melodrama.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
tumblesnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlz/
plural of “tumble” — an acrobatic feat of rolling or turning end over end
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
the act of using
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
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 Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
which person or people
From this reading For that army of men who use Cambridge as a gate to the world in front of them the passage through the narrow streets is too swift to afford more in after life than a pleasant reminiscence.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
a late time of life
From this reading Into that placid and speculative air real life tumbles with a resounding shock and the many souls that have been building, these many years, with careful elaboration, walls of defence and protection find themselves suddenly naked and indecent before the world.
