Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

(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 Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

the trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

past form of “banish” — expel from a community or group

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

put or send forth

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

Florentine sculptor famous for his lifelike sculptures (1386-1466)

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

a man of refinement

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

a person of German nationality

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

a young female

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

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 Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

the act of retaining something

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

plural of “oil” — a slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

above and across; more than

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

coated with paint

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

an artist who paints

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

plural of “photograph” — a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

on the contrary

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

well-groomed and neatly tailored; especially too well-groomed

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

not decorated with something to increase its beauty or distinction

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

plural of “vas” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

precisely as stated

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was a room rather empty and undecorated, but the idea of austerity was banished by a temperature so nearly tropical.

widely or fully known

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

a Caucasian

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

English colonial administrator who traveled to America on the Mayflower and served as the first governor of the Plymouth Colony (1595-1655)

From this reading Author of 'The Little French Girl,' 'Franklin Winslow Kane,' 'Tante,' etc.

characteristic of or occurring in winter

From this reading Three people were sitting in a small drawing-room, the windows of which looked out upon a wintry Boston street.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There were rows of books on white shelves, a pale Donatello cast on the wall, and two fine bronze vases filled with roses on the mantelpiece.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Over the roses hung a portrait in oils, very sleek and very accurate, of a commanding old gentleman in uniform, painted by a well-known German painter, and all about the room were photographs of young women, most of them young mothers, with smooth heads and earnest faces, holding babies.