adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
aroseverbUS /ərˈoʊz/
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading The prattle of voices--an intoxicated, merry Shrovetide prattle of voices arose everywhere.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
automobilesnounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːlz/
plural of “automobile” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
beatverbUS /biːt/
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
buzzedverbUS /bʌzd/
past form of “buzz” — make a buzzing sound
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
callverbUS /kɔːl/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
carsnounUS /kɑːrz/
plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
chimesnounUS /tʃaɪmz/
plural of “chime” — a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
clocknounUS /klɑːk/
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
condemnedverbUS /kənˈdemd/
past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
crowdedadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊdəd/
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
daytimenounUS /ˈdeɪtaɪm/
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
everywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/
to or in any or all places
From this reading The prattle of voices--an intoxicated, merry Shrovetide prattle of voices arose everywhere.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
fortressnounUS /ˈfɔːrtrəs/
a fortified defensive structure
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
honked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
hoofsnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
horsesnounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
imprisonedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənd/
being in captivity
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
intoxicatedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtɑːksəkeɪtɪd/
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading The prattle of voices--an intoxicated, merry Shrovetide prattle of voices arose everywhere.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
izvozchiks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
long-drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
meltingnounUS /ˈmeltɪŋ/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
merryadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading The prattle of voices--an intoxicated, merry Shrovetide prattle of voices arose everywhere.
migratingverbUS /ˈmaɪɡreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “migrate” — move from one country or region to another and settle there
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
mournfuladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrnfəl/
expressing sorrow
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
necksnounUS /neks/
plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
pavementsnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənts/
plural of “pavement” — the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
peasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/
a country person
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
plaintiveadjectiveUS /ˈpleɪntɪv/
expressing sorrow
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
prattleverbUS /ˈprætəl/
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
From this reading The prattle of voices--an intoxicated, merry Shrovetide prattle of voices arose everywhere.
quarter-hournoun
a quarter of an hour
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
rangverbUS /ræŋ/
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
rockingverbUS /ˈrɑːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
sadadjectiveUS /sæd/
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
seasonnounUS /ˈsiːzən/
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
Shrovetidenoun
immediately preceding Lent
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading At every hour, at every half-hour, and at every quarter-hour the clock rang out in long-drawn, mournful chimes, slowly melting high in the air, like the distant and plaintive call of migrating birds.
steeplenounUS /ˈstiːpəl/
a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
terroristsnounUS /ˈterərəsts/
plural of “terrorist” — a radical who employs terror as a political weapon; usually organizes with other terrorists in small cells; often uses religion as a cover for terrorist activities
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
tinklingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋkəlɪŋ/
like the short high ringing sound of a small bell
From this reading The cars buzzed along, the hoofs of the horses beat upon the pavements, the rocking automobiles honked in the distance, peasant izvozchiks had come especially from the outskirts of the city for the Shrovetide season and the tinkling of the bells upon the necks of their little horses filled the air.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
voicesnounUS /ˈvɔɪsəz/
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The prattle of voices--an intoxicated, merry Shrovetide prattle of voices arose everywhere.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading In the daytime, this strange and sad music was lost in the noise of the city, of the wide and crowded street which passed near the fortress.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the fortress where the condemned terrorists were imprisoned there was a steeple with an old-fashioned clock upon it.
