used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
clankingadjectiveUS /ˈklæŋkɪŋ/
having a hard nonresonant metallic sound
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
cloakedadjectiveUS /kloʊkt/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
the body of faculty and students of a college
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
farmhousesnounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊsəz/
plural of “farmhouse” — house for a farmer and family
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
freckledadjectiveUS /ˈfrekəld/
relating to or covered with or resembling freckles
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
good-bys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
jerkyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɜːrki/
lacking a steady rhythm
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
immediately past
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
nearingverbUS /ˈnɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “near” — move towards
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
OverlandadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlænd/
traveling or passing over land
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
PassengernounUS /ˈpæsəndʒər/
a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
prairiesnounUS /ˈpreɪriz/
plural of “prairie” — a treeless grassy plain
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
purrverbUS /pɜːr/
make a soft swishing sound
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
railsnounUS /reɪlz/
a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
red-plush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
refrainverbUS /rɪˈfreɪn/
resist doing something
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
stretchesnounUS /ˈstretʃəz/
plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
stuffyadjectiveUS /ˈstʌfi/
lacking fresh air
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading HOME THE Overland Passenger was clanking its way across the prairies of the middle West.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But Barbara was nearing home, and the dull pain which had been with her since the last good-bys at college was forgotten, as her eyes drank in every familiar detail of the shadowy landscape.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
window-pane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara, sitting on one of the stuffy red-plush seats, pressed her face against the window-pane, and looked out into the night.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was little to see,—the long, monotonous stretches of land, cloaked in shadows, with dim lights showing from a few farmhouses, and a wide expanse of sky, freckled with stars, above.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Above the purr and hiss of the engine sounded the jerky refrain of the rails, and the girl’s heart echoed the words.
