(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
in a state of sleep
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
BrooklynnounUS /ˈbrʊklən/
a borough of New York City
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
BureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
DividesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪdz/
plural of “divide” — a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility)
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
remove the dust from
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
an old word for “before”
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
failuresnounUS /ˈfeɪljərz/
plural of “failure” — an act that fails
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
grimyadjectiveUS /ˈɡraɪmi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
HARTLEYnounUS /ˈhɑːrtli/
English philosopher who introduced the theory of the association of ideas (1705-1757)
From this reading JOHN HARTLEY, "Pale Souls."
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
impassiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpæsɪv/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading JOHN HARTLEY, "Pale Souls."
apprehended with certainty
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
life'snounUS /laɪfs/
possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
LINKSnounUS /lɪŋks/
a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
on one occasion
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading JOHN HARTLEY, "Pale Souls."
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
PoppynounUS /ˈpɑːpi/
annual or biennial or perennial herbs having showy flowers
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
seasonsnounUS /ˈsiːzənz/
plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading JOHN HARTLEY, "Pale Souls."
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
weariedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪrid/
exhausted
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What are more desolate than life's moral Great Divides.--"The Silver Poppy."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grimy offices of the United News Bureau were on William Street, almost under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
a late time of life
From this reading In four years this bureau had known three failures and had existed, as well, under three different names.
but in spite of that
From this reading BROKEN LINKS And vain and empty stole away Their little seasons, one by one; And wearied while it yet was day They fell asleep beneath the sun, Ere once the dream or magic word Could swing the gates of life apart, Ere once some greater passion stirred The dust from each impassive heart.
