used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN AN OPERA BOX.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
AuditoriumnounUS /ˌɔːdəˈtɔːriəm/
the area of a theater or concert hall where the audience sits
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading IN AN OPERA BOX.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
carriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/
plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
coachmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
diamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
Footmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
furryadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːri/
covered with a dense coat of fine silky hairs
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
a quick look
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
not accessible to view
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
husky-voiced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN AN OPERA BOX.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
jostlingnounUS /ˈdʒɑːsəlɪŋ/
the act of jostling (forcing your way by pushing)
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
lobbynounUS /ˈlɑːbi/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
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 A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
motleynounUS /ˈmɑːtli/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
OPERAnounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading IN AN OPERA BOX.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
by chance
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
policemennounUS /pəˈliːsmɪn/
plural of “policeman” — a member of a police force
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
cut with a saw
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
scurriedverbUS /ˈskɜːrid/
inflected form of “scurry” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
slammedverbUS /slæmd/
inflected form of “slam” — close violently
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading Footmen scurried, doors were slammed, horses stamped, and husky-voiced policemen called out orders to the coachmen.
surgingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrdʒɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
hard to endure
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A long and motley line of carriages was slowly arriving at the Auditorium entrance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A surging, gaping crowd was jostling the few policemen on duty and trying to catch a glimpse of the brilliant dresses of the women hurrying into the lobby.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
wrapsnounUS /ræps/
plural of “wrap” — cloak that is folded or wrapped around a person
From this reading Long, furry wraps and covered heads, perhaps a gleam of hidden diamonds, were all they saw; but it was a passing glance into a forbidden, dazzling world.
