used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The night was quiet, and the air was warm and still.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night was quiet, and the air was warm and still.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
clergymannounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimən/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
decidingnounUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of reaching a decision
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
exploringverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
opinion or judgment
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
yet to be or coming
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
of great significance or value
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night was quiet, and the air was warm and still.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
by chance
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading The night was quiet, and the air was warm and still.
salesmannounUS /ˈseɪlzmən/
a man salesperson
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
scientistnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪst/
a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
and nothing more
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
slumberingverbUS /ˈslʌmbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “slumber” — be asleep
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
express in speech
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
not in physical motion
From this reading The night was quiet, and the air was warm and still.
store-clerk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night was quiet, and the air was warm and still.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
unmeasuredadjective
not composed of measured syllables; not metrical
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
precisely as stated
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The night was quiet, and the air was warm and still.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was quiet, and the air was warm and still.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
which person or people
From this reading A soldier passed them, then a man who might have been a store-clerk, a student, a salesman, a clergyman, a scientist.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading They did not speak, for their eyes were wide, engrossed simply in seeing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The man and the woman walked close together, and with slow, unmeasured steps, as though the great, slumbering city was a garden, and they were exploring it for the first time.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A young couple approached from the opposite direction, saying quiet things to each other, perhaps deciding intimate, very important plans for some near future time.
