used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
aristocracynounUS /ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
childhood's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
club-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
crispnessnounUS /ˈkrɪspnəs/
a pleasing firmness and freshness
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
decencynounUS /ˈdiːsənsi/
the quality of conforming to standards of propriety and morality
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
disknounUS /dɪsk/
something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
districtsnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkts/
plural of “district” — a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
elbowedverbUS /ˈelboʊd/
past form of “elbow” — push one's way with the elbows
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
elbowingnounUS /ˈelboʊɪŋ/
jostling with the elbows
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
finerynounUS /ˈfaɪnəri/
elaborate or showy attire and accessories
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
obtain
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
high-keyedadjective
(of persons) excitable
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
ten 10s
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
low-hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
massedverbUS /mæst/
past form of “mass” — join together into a mass or collect or form a mass
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
and nothing more
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
peltedverbUS /ˈpeltɪd/
past form of “pelt” — cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
poverty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/
the act of applying force in order to move something away
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
ruddyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌdi/
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
tenementnounUS /ˈtenəmənt/
a run-down apartment house barely meeting minimal standards
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
ThanksgivingnounUS /ˌθæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ/
fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
male cat
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
well-mended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
well-wornadjective
showing signs of much wear or use
From this reading Here was childhood's every size; and here were rags and dirt--well-worn and well-mended decency--the cheap finery of poverty's aristocracy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Before the entrance to the club-house of the Mission were massed two or three hundred children.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading The low-hung sun, visible in the tenement districts only in westward streets, was softened to a ruddy disk by the light November haze.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
the words that are spoken
From this reading There was much pushing and elbowing in a struggle to hold place or to gain nearer the entrance, and the elbowed and elbowing pelted each other with high-keyed words.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading TOM IS SEEN AT WORK It was toward four o'clock of the day before Thanksgiving--an afternoon of genial crispness.
