used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
the state of being absent
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
Andersen'snounUS /ˈændərsənz/
possessive form of “andersen” — a Danish author remembered for his fairy stories (1805-1875)
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
arenanounUS /ərˈiːnə/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She feared that the recluse must be ill.
burstsnounUS /bɜːrsts/
plural of “burst” — the act of exploding or bursting
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
churchyardnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃjɑːrd/
the yard associated with a church
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
circus-men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
traveling across
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
dominatedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːməneɪtəd/
controlled or ruled by superior authority or power
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
experimentsnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənts/
plural of “experiment” — the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
extravagantadjectiveUS /ekˈstrævəɡənt/
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading She feared that the recluse must be ill.
set up or found
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
hissingnounUS /ˈhɪsɪŋ/
a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading She feared that the recluse must be ill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
musicaladjectiveUS /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/
characterized by or capable of producing music
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She feared that the recluse must be ill.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
pendingadjectiveUS /ˈpendɪŋ/
awaiting conclusion or confirmation
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
Quincunx
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
with speed
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
reclusenounUS /rɪˈkluːs/
one who lives in solitude
From this reading She feared that the recluse must be ill.
roundaboutadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəbaʊt/
marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
not often
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
spoutsnounUS /spaʊts/
plural of “spout” — an opening that allows the passage of liquids or grain
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
make square
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
in the direction of
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
VENNIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
Vennie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading She turned sharp to the west, and walked rapidly down the central street of the village into the square at the end of it.
at the time that
From this reading VENNIE SELDOM It was not towards her mother’s house that Vennie directed her steps when she left the churchyard.
whistlings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here she found an arena of busy and stirring confusion, dominated by hissing spouts of steam, hoarse whistlings from the “roundabout” engines, and occasional bursts of extravagant melody, as the circus-men made their musical experiments, pending the opening of the show.
belonging to which person
From this reading Vennie’s intention, in crossing the square, was to pay a morning visit to Mr. Quincunx, whose absence from Andersen’s funeral had struck her mind as extraordinary and ominous.
