used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
in addition
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The blinds were drawn half over the windows; the long curtains hung down in dark folds.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
a person who is in charge
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
Clarendon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The blinds were drawn half over the windows; the long curtains hung down in dark folds.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The blinds were drawn half over the windows; the long curtains hung down in dark folds.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
decorumnounUS /dɪˈkɔːrəm/
propriety in manners and conduct
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The blinds were drawn half over the windows; the long curtains hung down in dark folds.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The blinds were drawn half over the windows; the long curtains hung down in dark folds.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
existverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪst/
have an existence, be extant
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
start firing a weapon
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
flickerverbUS /ˈflɪkər/
move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading The blinds were drawn half over the windows; the long curtains hung down in dark folds.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
ghostsnounUS /ɡoʊsts/
plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The blinds were drawn half over the windows; the long curtains hung down in dark folds.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The blinds were drawn half over the windows; the long curtains hung down in dark folds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
languidadjectiveUS /ˈlæŋɡwəd/
lacking spirit or liveliness
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
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 Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
not any; not one
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
and nothing more
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
PortlandnounUS /ˈpɔːrtlənd/
freshwater port and largest city in Oregon; located in northwestern Oregon on the Willamette River which divides the city into east and west sections; renowned for its beautiful natural setting among the mountains
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
not in physical motion
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
well-regulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She thought they were stealing in like ghosts to some silent place in which mystery of one kind or other must attend them; but the room they were ushered into was only a very large, very still drawing-room, in painfully good order, inhabited by nothing but a fire, which made a little sound and flicker that preserved it from utter death.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mrs Clarendon lived in one of the great houses in Portland Place which fashion has abandoned.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The blinds were drawn half over the windows; the long curtains hung down in dark folds.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Frances followed her mother with a beating heart through the long wide hall and large staircase, over soft carpets, on which their feet made no sound.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading It was very silent, wrapped in that stillness and decorum which is one of the chief signs of an entirely well-regulated house, also of a place in which life is languid and youth does not exist.
