used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FRANCIS SUTTON ASKS A QUESTION London never sleeps.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
ASKSverbUS /æsks/
third-person singular of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading FRANCIS SUTTON ASKS A QUESTION London never sleeps.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
belatedadjectiveUS /bɪˈleɪtɪd/
after the expected or usual time; delayed
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
clip-clopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
diesnounUS /daɪz/
plural of “die” — a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
far-away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
FRANCIS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FRANCIS SUTTON ASKS A QUESTION London never sleeps.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
hansoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
jinglingadjective
having a series of high-pitched ringing sounds like many small bells
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
laysnounUS /leɪz/
plural of “lay” — a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading FRANCIS SUTTON ASKS A QUESTION London never sleeps.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
minute'snounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
possessive form of “minute” — a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
motor-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading FRANCIS SUTTON ASKS A QUESTION London never sleeps.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading FRANCIS SUTTON ASKS A QUESTION London never sleeps.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
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 Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
rumblingnounUS /ˈrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
shunters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
sleepsnounUS /sliːps/
plural of “sleep” — a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading FRANCIS SUTTON ASKS A QUESTION London never sleeps.
in or at or to some place
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
staccatoadjectiveUS /stəˈkɑːtoʊ/
(music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
SUTTON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FRANCIS SUTTON ASKS A QUESTION London never sleeps.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
trucksnounUS /trʌks/
plural of “truck” — an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading A minute’s rest from world noises, then the distant shriek of a locomotive and the staccato clatter of trucks.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
whineverbUS /waɪn/
move with a whining sound
From this reading Long after the roar of the waking world dies down, there is a fitful rumbling of traffic, a jingling of bells, as belated hansoms come clip-clopping through the deserted streets, the whine of a fast motor-car--then a little silence.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Of the dead silence that lays over the world, the quiet peaceful hush of all living things, London knows nothing.
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 Somewhere, in a far-away railway yard, with shunters’ lanterns swinging, the work of a new day has already begun.
