used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
quickly and without warning
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
acolytesnounUS /ˈækəlaɪts/
plural of “acolyte” — someone who assists a priest or minister in a liturgical service; a cleric ordained in the highest of the minor orders in the Roman Catholic Church but not in the Anglican Church or the Eastern Orthodox Churches
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
artificialadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəl/
contrived by art rather than nature
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
basketsnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
bearersnounUS /ˈberərz/
plural of “bearer” — someone whose employment involves carrying something
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
blendingnounUS /ˈblendɪŋ/
the act of blending components together thoroughly
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
boothsnounUS /buːθs/
plural of “booth” — a table (in a restaurant or bar) surrounded by two high-backed benches
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
burialnounUS /ˈberiəl/
the ritual placing of a corpse in a grave
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
citywards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
well in the past; former
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
erectnessnoun
the property of being upright in posture
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
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 From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
impartingnounUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
the transmission of information
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
INCONGRUOUSadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋˈkɔːŋruːəs/
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
isolationnounUS /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/
a state of separation between persons or groups
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
lengtheningnounUS /ˈleŋθənɪŋ/
the act of prolonging something
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
lonelinessnounUS /ˈloʊnlinəs/
the state of being alone in solitary isolation
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
for more time
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
mergedadjectiveUS /mɜːrdʒd/
formed or united into a whole
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
nunsnounUS /nʌnz/
plural of “nun” — a woman religious
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
poisedadjectiveUS /pɔɪzd/
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
priestsnounUS /priːsts/
plural of “priest” — a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
restfuladjectiveUS /ˈrestfəl/
affording physical or mental rest
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
ROLEnounUS /roʊl/
the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
sad-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
stallsnounUS /stɔːlz/
a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
confined on all sides
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
tombstonenounUS /ˈtuːmstoʊn/
a stone that is used to mark a grave
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
trailedverbUS /treɪld/
past form of “trail” — to lag or linger behind
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
transitionnounUS /trænˈzɪʃən/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
trundling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
having passed out of existence
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
venders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
wended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
