adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then in upon my preoccupation burst a woman’s scream!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
alleynounUS /ˈæli/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading I aroused myself from reverie, looking about to right and left.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
BASKETnounUS /ˈbæskət/
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
bridgenounUS /brɪdʒ/
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
BuildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
burstverbUS /bɜːrst/
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Then in upon my preoccupation burst a woman’s scream!
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
DeepadjectiveUS /diːp/
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
dwarfnounUS /dwɔːrf/
a person who is markedly small
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
ever-swelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
EvidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I aroused myself from reverie, looking about to right and left.
gatenounUS /ɡeɪt/
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
hunched-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
inexplicableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I aroused myself from reverie, looking about to right and left.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
liftedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪftəd/
held up in the air
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading I aroused myself from reverie, looking about to right and left.
marvellousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
mentallyadverbUS /ˈmentəli/
in your mind
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Then in upon my preoccupation burst a woman’s scream!
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I aroused myself from reverie, looking about to right and left.
mysterynounUS /ˈmɪstəri/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
preoccupationnounUS /priˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention
From this reading Then in upon my preoccupation burst a woman’s scream!
proceededverbUS /prəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
realmsnounUS /relmz/
plural of “realm” — a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
respectingverbUS /riˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “respect” — regard highly; think much of
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
reverienounUS /ˈrevəri/
absentminded dreaming while awake
From this reading I aroused myself from reverie, looking about to right and left.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading I aroused myself from reverie, looking about to right and left.
screamverbUS /skriːm/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Then in upon my preoccupation burst a woman’s scream!
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
spacenounUS /speɪs/
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
surveyingnounUS /sərˈveɪɪŋ/
the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then in upon my preoccupation burst a woman’s scream!
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I aroused myself from reverie, looking about to right and left.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
uninvitingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
neither attractive nor tempting
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then in upon my preoccupation burst a woman’s scream!
walkingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The death of the dwarf had lifted the case into the realms of the marvellous, and I noted nothing of the bustle about me, for mentally I was still surveying that hunched-up body which had fallen out of empty space.
WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
WOMANnounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Then in upon my preoccupation burst a woman’s scream!
Wyatt'snounUS /ˈwaɪəts/
possessive form of “wyatt” — English architect (1746-1813)
From this reading THE WOMAN WITH THE BASKET Deep in thought respecting the inexplicable nature of this latest mystery, I turned in the direction of the bridge, and leaving behind me an ever-swelling throng at the gate of Wyatt’s Buildings, proceeded westward.
yardsnounUS /jɑːrdz/
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Evidently I had been walking slowly, for I was less than a hundred yards from Wyatt’s Buildings, and hard by the entrance to an uninviting alley from which I thought the scream had proceeded.
