used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Other people rolled away in landaulettes and taxi-cabs.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
bewildermentnounUS /bɪˈwɪldərmənt/
confusion resulting from failure to understand
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
divisible by two
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
gnome-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
HEROESnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
landaulettes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other people rolled away in landaulettes and taxi-cabs.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
Majesty'snounUS /ˈmædʒəstiz/
possessive form of “majesty” — impressiveness in scale or proportion
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
nastyadjectiveUS /ˈnæsti/
offensive or even (of persons) malicious
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Other people rolled away in landaulettes and taxi-cabs.
outjutting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
ownersnounUS /ˈoʊnərz/
plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
pavementsnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənts/
plural of “pavement” — the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Other people rolled away in landaulettes and taxi-cabs.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
rainingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
falling in drops or as if falling like rain
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Other people rolled away in landaulettes and taxi-cabs.
Identical; not different.
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
slidenounUS /slaɪd/
a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
spikesnounUS /spaɪks/
plural of “spike” — a transient variation in voltage or current
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
taxi-cabs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other people rolled away in landaulettes and taxi-cabs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
umbrellasnounUS /əmˈbreləz/
plural of “umbrella” — a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
unfamiliaradjectiveUS /ˌʌnfəˈmɪljər/
not known or well known
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
the topmost one of two
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
vehiclenounUS /ˈviːhɪkəl/
a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
vindictiveadjectiveUS /vɪnˈdɪktɪv/
disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
From this reading And then umbrellas began to slide up before their owners had even quitted the shelter of the outjutting porch; umbrellas with nasty vindictive spikes.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A CHOICE OF HEROES The same evening, two girls were huddled in a doorway of His Majesty’s Theatre.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
which person or people
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Then a voice pierced bewilderment with the exclamation: “Why, it’s raining!” and they emerged on to an unfamiliar back street, pavements dark mirrors of glistening wet, something sinister about the hovering gnome-like figures who sprang alive at their elbows, offering in hoarse voices to fetch a vehicle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
world-that-is-not
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had drifted with the crowd down the stone steps leading from the Upper Circle, their brains struggling to return to reality from the world-that-is-not.
