used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
accumulatedadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪd/
periodically accumulated over time
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
BrushingnounUS /ˈbrʌʃɪŋ/
the act of brushing your teeth
From this reading Brushing off a chair, he sat down.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Brushing off a chair, he sat down.
CHICAGOnounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
dodgedverbUS /dɑːdʒd/
past form of “dodge” — make a sudden movement in a new direction so as to avoid
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
remove the dust from
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
to or in any or all places
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For a few moments he sat there in silent reflection.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
flightsnounUS /flaɪts/
plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a few moments he sat there in silent reflection.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
hurriedlyadverbUS /ˈhɜːridli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
JohnnynounUS /ˈdʒɑːni/
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
set afire or burning
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
fasten with a lock
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading For a few moments he sat there in silent reflection.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Brushing off a chair, he sat down.
OhionounUS /oʊˈhaɪoʊ/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading For a few moments he sat there in silent reflection.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Brushing off a chair, he sat down.
scratchedverbUS /skrætʃt/
past form of “scratch” — cause friction
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
shadowedadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊd/
filled with shade
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading For a few moments he sat there in silent reflection.
without speaking
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For a few moments he sat there in silent reflection.
ThompsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmpsən/
United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
the upper part of anything
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
communicated in words
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
WellsnounUS /welz/
prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE MYSTERY OF THE CHICAGO RIVER Johnny Thompson dodged around a corner on West Ohio street, then walked hurriedly down Wells street.
Whew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the top he waited and listened, then turning, made his way up two other flights, walked down a dark corridor, turned a key in a lock, threw the door open, closed it after him, scratched a match, lighted a gas lamp, then uttered a low "Whew!" at the dust that had accumulated everywhere.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
wrenchverbUS /rentʃ/
twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates
From this reading At a corner of the building which shadowed the river from the north he paused and listened; then with a quick wrench, he tore a door open, closed it hastily and silently, and was up the dusty stairs like a flash.
