used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
(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 A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Forrester glanced at his watch.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
chug-chug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
Dearborn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
fifteen-minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
Forrester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forrester glanced at his watch.
Forrester's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Forrester glanced at his watch.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Forrester glanced at his watch.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
and nothing more
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
the act of departing
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
engage in
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
MichigannounUS /ˈmɪʃɪɡən/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
become covered with mist
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
mist-hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
Nevins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
and nothing more
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
ParkwaynounUS /ˈpɑːrkweɪ/
a wide scenic road planted with trees
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
pedestriansnounUS /pəˈdestriənz/
plural of “pedestrian” — a person who travels by foot
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
in the near future
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
uttered with a trill
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
sauntered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
shuttingnounUS /ˈʃʌtɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
somberadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmbər/
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
in or at or to some place
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
not in physical motion
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was just nine o’clock, not too late to make his promised call on the Nevins.
look attentively
From this reading Forrester glanced at his watch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Always a quiet neighborhood, the mist-hidden streets now seemed somber and deserted, and so still were his surroundings that Forrester’s attention was presently attracted to the soft chug-chug of a motor somewhere in the fog behind him.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The Nevins’ residence was on Dearborn Parkway, only a fifteen-minute walk for Forrester, so he sauntered west after leaving the house.
which person or people
From this reading A heavy mist was gathering on Lake Michigan and rolling through the streets before a gentle breeze from the east, completely shutting from view all but the nearest street lights and any pedestrians who might be abroad at this hour.
