Chapter III

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

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

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

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

move towards

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

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

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

of a color similar to that of wood or earth

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

the person or thing chosen or selected

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

English general considered one of the greatest generals in history (1650-1722)

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

marked by refinement in taste and manners

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

inflected form of “deter” — try to prevent; show opposition to

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

plural of “frill” — (paleontology) a bony plate that curves upward behind the skull of many ceratopsian dinosaurs

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

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

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

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

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

United States architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

set afire or burning

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

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

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

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

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

of a path e.g.

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

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

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

a form of address for a man

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

plain-woven cotton fabric

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

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

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

above and across; more than

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

past form of “paper” — cover with paper

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

a perceptual structure

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

land and the buildings on it

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

on the contrary

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

a building where people go to eat

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

with honesty

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

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

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

do one's shopping

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

very large in expanse or scope

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

required or under orders

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

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

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

the upper part of anything

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

precisely as stated

From this reading On reaching the room, however, he was surprised to see how nice it looked, and how very unlike a restaurant.

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 It was the day of art muslins, and this was very pretty art muslin, with a brownish pattern meandering through the yellow; and it had little frills at the edges, and brown bands to draw the curtains to the wall, which had a cultured look.

a storehouse for goods and merchandise

From this reading It had been used to warehouse the basket-maker's stock, and had a spacious floor, though a rather low ceiling, and, like the staircase, was ill lighted for its present purpose.

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

From this reading AFLOAT It was discovered over a basket-maker's shop at the top of a rather dark staircase; a deterring approach, as Mr. Churchill reflected, but he rightly supposed they had not had much choice of premises.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

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

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading But Jenny and her mother had papered it with a yellow paper, and draped yellow muslin around, not over, the dim windows; by which means they had put light and brightness into it, as well as an air of elegance not to be expected in such a place.