used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
how long something has existed
From this reading Neither Miss Bethune nor her maid belonged to the decorative age.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Neither Miss Bethune nor her maid belonged to the decorative age.
BethunenounUS /bəˈθjuːn/
United States educator who worked to improve race relations and educational opportunities for Black Americans (1875-1955)
From this reading Neither Miss Bethune nor her maid belonged to the decorative age.
Bethune's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
decorativeadjectiveUS /ˈdekrətɪv/
serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose
From this reading Neither Miss Bethune nor her maid belonged to the decorative age.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
extinguishedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Neither Miss Bethune nor her maid belonged to the decorative age.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
immediately past
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
mahoganynounUS /məˈhɑːɡəni/
wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for cabinetwork and furniture
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
a female domestic
From this reading Neither Miss Bethune nor her maid belonged to the decorative age.
Mannering's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
a form of address for a man
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
muslinnounUS /ˈmʌzlən/
plain-woven cotton fabric
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither Miss Bethune nor her maid belonged to the decorative age.
not any; not one
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Neither Miss Bethune nor her maid belonged to the decorative age.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
in other respects or ways
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
preferencenounUS /ˈprefərəns/
a strong liking
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
on the contrary
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
repnounUS /rep/
informal abbreviation of “representative”
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
swathedverbUS /swɑːðd/
past form of “swathe” — wrap in swaddling clothes
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Neither Miss Bethune nor her maid belonged to the decorative age.
trumperynoun
nonsensical talk or writing
From this reading They thought Mr. Mannering’s dainty furniture and his faded silken curtains were rather of the nature of trumpery.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
well-sized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They had no principles as to furniture, but accepted what they had, with rather a preference than otherwise for heavy articles in mahogany, and things that were likely to last.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
a Caucasian
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a commonplace room enough, well-sized, for the house was old and solid, with three tall windows swathed in red rep curtains, partially softened but not extinguished by the white muslin ones which had been put up over them.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Young Gordon had gone, and silence had fallen over Miss Bethune’s room.
