used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She stared about the unfamiliar, lofty room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
on the far side of; further than
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
bodilyadverbUS /ˈbɑːdəli/
in bodily form
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
counterpanenoun
decorative cover for a bed
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
dreamlessadjective
untroubled by dreams
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
dressing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
a long fixed look
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
housemaidnoun
a female domestic
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
Joseline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
loftnounUS /lɔːft/
floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading She stared about the unfamiliar, lofty room.
mentallyadverbUS /ˈmentəli/
in your mind
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
patchworknounUS /ˈpætʃwɜːrk/
a theory or argument made up of miscellaneous or incongruous ideas
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
petticoatsnounUS /ˈpetikoʊts/
plural of “petticoat” — undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
printnounUS /prɪnt/
the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
quiltnounUS /kwɪlt/
bedding made of two layers of cloth filled with stuffing and stitched together
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She stared about the unfamiliar, lofty room.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
satinnounUS /ˈsætən/
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
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 Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
starchedverbUS /stɑːrtʃt/
past form of “starch” — stiffen with starch
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading She stared about the unfamiliar, lofty room.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
unfamiliaradjectiveUS /ˌʌnfəˈmɪljər/
not known or well known
From this reading She stared about the unfamiliar, lofty room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
washstandnoun
furniture consisting of a table or stand to hold a basin and pitcher of water for washing: “wash-hand stand” is a British term
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
in or at the place that
From this reading Where was she?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
which person or people
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
window-blinds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As her gaze fell on the pale satin counterpane, the dignified dressing-table, beyond it a tall housemaid in a stiff print gown, cautiously raising the window-blinds, she closed her eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading Joseline, who was worn out, both bodily and mentally, slept a sound and dreamless sleep, from which she was aroused by the sound of careful footsteps, a rustling of starched petticoats, and a gentle opening of heavy shutters.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Would she open them on her own little quarters in the cottage loft?--a room with a wooden bed and patchwork quilt, a rickety washstand, and one chair?
