used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was not aware what an exquisite summer evening it was.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading He carried his own troubled atmosphere with him.
a line of approach
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading He was not aware what an exquisite summer evening it was.
bevynounUS /ˈbevi/
a large gathering of people of a particular type
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He carried his own troubled atmosphere with him.
COUNTERMARCHverb
march back along the same way
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading He was not aware what an exquisite summer evening it was.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading He was not aware what an exquisite summer evening it was.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
the act of departing
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not aware what an exquisite summer evening it was.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He carried his own troubled atmosphere with him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He carried his own troubled atmosphere with him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was not aware what an exquisite summer evening it was.
latch-key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not aware what an exquisite summer evening it was.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He carried his own troubled atmosphere with him.
ploddingnounUS /ˈplɑːdɪŋ/
hard monotonous routine work
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
Stanisfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading He was not aware what an exquisite summer evening it was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
troopingverbUS /ˈtruːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “troop” — march in a procession
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading He carried his own troubled atmosphere with him.
unlockedadjectiveUS /ənˈlɑːkt/
not firmly fastened or secured
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Slowly going up the broad flight of steps leading to his house, he drew out his latch-key.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading A SUDDEN COUNTERMARCH Roger Stanisfield was plodding wearily along the avenue.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was not aware what an exquisite summer evening it was.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading As he unlocked the door, a bevy of girls came trooping through the hall--some of his wife’s friends.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He carried his own troubled atmosphere with him.
