used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
asphaltnounUS /ˈæsfɔːlt/
mixed asphalt and crushed gravel or sand; used especially for paving but also for roofing
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
carriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/
plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Most of the carriages were empty.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The glass roof refracted a dark, heavy heat.
the act of departing
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Most of the carriages were empty.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
Frettes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The glass roof refracted a dark, heavy heat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He paced the platform, thinking.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The glass roof refracted a dark, heavy heat.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The glass roof refracted a dark, heavy heat.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
LesnounUS /les/
plural of “le” — a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of the carriages were empty.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading He paced the platform, thinking.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading He paced the platform, thinking.
porternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
Raindal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
refracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glass roof refracted a dark, heavy heat.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The glass roof refracted a dark, heavy heat.
cut with a saw
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
carry out
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading He paced the platform, thinking.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
create by training and teaching
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
trucknounUS /trʌk/
an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading On the deserted platform he saw not a porter, not a truck; it stretched out, an endless carpet of asphalt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Most of the carriages were empty.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading M. Raindal reached the station fifteen minutes before the departure of the train which was to take him to Les Frettes.
