adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
accostedverbUS /əˈkɑːstɪd/
past form of “accost” — speak to someone
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Only the busts of the dancers could be seen.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
borneverbUS /bɔːrn/
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
bustsnounUS /bʌsts/
plural of “bust” — a complete failure
From this reading Only the busts of the dancers could be seen.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Only the busts of the dancers could be seen.
couplesnounUS /ˈkʌpəlz/
plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
dance-hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading Only the busts of the dancers could be seen.
dandified-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
disappearingnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrɪŋ/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
dividedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪd/
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
envelopedverbUS /enˈveləpt/
past form of “envelop” — enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
envying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
exuberantadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzuːbərənt/
joyously unrestrained
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
FridaynounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
gazedverbUS /ɡeɪzd/
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
GrandadjectiveUS /ɡrænd/
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
imagesnounUS /ˈɪmədʒəz/
plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
livelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvli/
full of life and energy
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
mysterynounUS /ˈmɪstəri/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
ONEpronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
OnlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Only the busts of the dancers could be seen.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
oppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
PresentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
raisedadjectiveUS /reɪzd/
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
rushedadjectiveUS /rʌʃt/
done under pressure
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
scenenounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Only the busts of the dancers could be seen.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
SeveraladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
spellboundadjectiveUS /ˈspelbaʊnd/
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
StreetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
TEMPLEnounUS /ˈtempəl/
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This and the distance that divided me from the hall enveloped the scene in mystery.
thoroughfarenounUS /ˈθɜːroʊfer/
a public road from one place to another
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
watchingnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃɪŋ/
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
wavesnounUS /weɪvz/
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading As the couples floated by, as though borne along on waves of the music, the girls clinging to the men, their fantastic figures held me spellbound.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading MY TEMPLE ONE Friday evening in September I stood on Grand Street with my eyes raised to the big open windows of a dance-hall on the second floor of a brick building on the opposite side of the lively thoroughfare.
womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Several other people were watching the dancers from the street, mostly women, who gazed at the appearing and disappearing images with envying eyes Presently I was accosted by a dandified-looking young man who rushed at me with an exuberant, "How are you?" in English.
