used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
balenounUS /beɪl/
a large bundle bound for storage or transport
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Waxed hardwood could not have been more brilliant.
Bridewell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Waxed hardwood could not have been more brilliant.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Waxed hardwood could not have been more brilliant.
dance-hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
flickerverbUS /ˈflɪkər/
move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
floodedadjectiveUS /ˈflʌdəd/
covered with water
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
gasoline-lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
glimmered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
grocery-boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
hardwoodnounUS /ˈhɑːrdwʊd/
the wood of broad-leaved dicotyledonous trees (as distinguished from the wood of conifers)
From this reading Waxed hardwood could not have been more brilliant.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Waxed hardwood could not have been more brilliant.
haynounUS /heɪ/
grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
the force of workers available
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
merchandisenounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃəndaɪz/
commodities offered for sale
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Waxed hardwood could not have been more brilliant.
muteadjectiveUS /mjuːt/
expressed without speech
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Waxed hardwood could not have been more brilliant.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
polishingnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃɪŋ/
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
stoolsnounUS /stuːlz/
plural of “stool” — a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
testimonynounUS /ˈtestəmoʊni/
a solemn statement made under oath
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
up-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
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 A thick line of stools and chairs and empty grocery-boxes made the seats for the throng around the wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dance-hall was the up-stairs floor of Bridewell’s general merchandise store.
washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
WaxedadjectiveUS /wækst/
treated with wax
From this reading Waxed hardwood could not have been more brilliant.
at the time that
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The floor glimmered and shone in mute testimony to the polishing which it had received earlier in the evening when a dozen strong men pulled about the room a heavy bale of hay with two men sitting upon it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading From the center of the ceiling was suspended a monstrous gasoline-lamp that flooded the larger part of the dancing floor with dazzling light, but the flicker of the flame sent occasional seas of shadow washing into the corners of the room.
