used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
admittancenounUS /ədˈmɪtəns/
the right to enter
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
arraynounUS /ərˈeɪ/
an orderly arrangement
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
cravatnounUS /krəˈvæt/
A short, wide strip of silk fabric worn by gentlemen around the neck inside an open-collared shirt.
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
curtainedadjective
furnished or concealed with curtains or draperies
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
dankadjectiveUS /dæŋk/
unpleasantly cool and humid
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
dazzledadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəld/
having vision overcome temporarily by or as if by intense light
From this reading However, as soon as the servant opened the door of the first drawing-room, a stream of light dazzled the guests.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
doorwaysnounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪz/
plural of “doorway” — the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, as soon as the servant opened the door of the first drawing-room, a stream of light dazzled the guests.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
put on clothes
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading However, as soon as the servant opened the door of the first drawing-room, a stream of light dazzled the guests.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
obtain
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading However, as soon as the servant opened the door of the first drawing-room, a stream of light dazzled the guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, as soon as the servant opened the door of the first drawing-room, a stream of light dazzled the guests.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
not any; not one
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
and nothing more
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading However, as soon as the servant opened the door of the first drawing-room, a stream of light dazzled the guests.
capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
PuffsnounUS /pʌfs/
plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
rainyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/
(of weather) wet by periods of rain
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
done under pressure
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading However, as soon as the servant opened the door of the first drawing-room, a stream of light dazzled the guests.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The shutters had been closed, and the curtains carefully drawn, and no gleam from the dull sky could gain admittance.
in the near future
From this reading However, as soon as the servant opened the door of the first drawing-room, a stream of light dazzled the guests.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading However, as soon as the servant opened the door of the first drawing-room, a stream of light dazzled the guests.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
a Caucasian
From this reading In the hall of the doctor’s house stood Pierre, in dress coat and white cravat, throwing open the door as each carriage rolled up.
winter'snounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It was only two o’clock, but the evening seemed as near at hand as on a dismal winter’s day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Puffs of dank air rushed in; the afternoon was rainy, and a yellow light illumined the narrow hall, with its curtained doorways and array of green plants.
