used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A busy life perspired beneath them.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading IN TORONTO The street care hummed in the still summer air.
Alston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
areasnounUS /ˈeriəz/
plural of “area” — a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
arraynounUS /ərˈeɪ/
an orderly arrangement
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
awnings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading A busy life perspired beneath them.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading A busy life perspired beneath them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
Canada'snounUS /ˈkænədəz/
possessive form of “canada” — a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading IN TORONTO The street care hummed in the still summer air.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
set up or found
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
Frank'snounUS /fræŋks/
possessive form of “frank” — a member of the ancient Germanic peoples who spread from the Rhine into the Roman Empire in the 4th century
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
gayest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN TORONTO The street care hummed in the still summer air.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN TORONTO The street care hummed in the still summer air.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A busy life perspired beneath them.
lunchingnounUS /ˈlʌntʃɪŋ/
the act of eating lunch
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
memorableadjectiveUS /ˈmemərəbəl/
worth remembering
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
perspired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A busy life perspired beneath them.
populationnounUS /ˌpɑːpjəˈleɪʃən/
the people who inhabit a territory or state
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
precinctsnounUS /ˈpriːsɪŋkts/
plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
responsibilitiesnounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “responsibility” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
shoppernounUS /ˈʃɑːpər/
someone who visits stores in search of articles to buy
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
shoppingnounUS /ˈʃɑːpɪŋ/
searching for or buying goods or services
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
sidewalknounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːk/
walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
not in physical motion
From this reading IN TORONTO The street care hummed in the still summer air.
storesnounUS /stɔːrz/
plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading IN TORONTO The street care hummed in the still summer air.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading IN TORONTO The street care hummed in the still summer air.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
super-heated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN TORONTO The street care hummed in the still summer air.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A busy life perspired beneath them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
TORONTOnounUS /tərˈɑːntoʊ/
the provincial capital and largest city in Ontario (and the largest city in Canada)
From this reading IN TORONTO The street care hummed in the still summer air.
Toronto'snounUS /tərˈɑːntoʊz/
possessive form of “toronto” — the provincial capital and largest city in Ontario (and the largest city in Canada)
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sun awnings were stretched out from the endless array of stores, across the super-heated sidewalk.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was more than a month since Frank's memorable journey from the hopeless precincts of Alston to one of Canada's gayest cities; a month during which he had found his days far easier than he expected, if more full of the responsibilities of life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Toronto's central shopping areas were always crowded about midday, not with the smart woman shopper, but with the lunching population of the commercial houses.
