adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
adagenounUS /ˈædədʒ/
a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
addedverbUS /ˈædəd/
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
addressverbUS /ˈædres/
speak to
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
ante-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
AnxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
apartmentnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənt/
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
arabesques
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
aridadjectiveUS /ˈærəd/
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
badadjectiveUS /bæd/
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
Bayeux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
benchesnounUS /ˈbentʃɪz/
plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
charmnounUS /tʃɑːrm/
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
colornounUS /ˈkʌlər/
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
coververbUS /ˈkʌvər/
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
discordantadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɔːrdənt/
not in agreement or harmony
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
excusesnounUS /ɪksˈkjuːsɪz/
plural of “excuse” — a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/
give expression to
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
fidelitynounUS /fəˈdeləti/
accuracy with which an electronic system reproduces the sound or image of its input signal
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/
the act of giving
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
gloomnounUS /ɡluːm/
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
Granville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
gratifiedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪd/
having received what was desired
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
hollowedverbUS /ˈhɑːloʊd/
past form of “hollow” — remove the inner part or the core of
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
of great significance or value
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
impressionnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃən/
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
intelligencenounUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
invadedverbUS /ˌɪnˈveɪdəd/
past form of “invade” — march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
judgedverbUS /dʒʌdʒd/
past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
lawyernounUS /ˈlɔːjər/
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
mannerismnounUS /ˈmænərɪzəm/
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
measurenounUS /ˈmeʒər/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
mouldingsnounUS /ˈmoʊldɪŋz/
plural of “moulding” — a decorative strip used for ornamentation or finishing
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
orderedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrdərd/
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
panelsnounUS /ˈpænəlz/
plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
prevailedverbUS /prɪˈveɪld/
past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
roomsnounUS /ruːmz/
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
saysnounUS /sez/
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
sealverbUS /siːl/
make tight; secure against leakage
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
solemnitynounUS /səˈlemnəti/
a trait of dignified seriousness
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The color of the panels, as ordered by his wife, was too heavy, and the very dark green velvet used to cover the benches added to the gloom of this entrance--not, to be sure, an important room, but giving a first impression--just as we measure a man’s intelligence by his first address.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The rigid mannerism that prevailed in the sitting-room at Bayeux had invaded his home; the broad panels were hollowed in circles, and decorated with those arabesques of which the long, monotonous mouldings are in such bad taste.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Anxious to find excuses for his wife, the young husband began again, looking first at the long and lofty ante-room through which the apartment was entered.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading If the old adage is true that says a woman may be judged of from her front door, her rooms must express her mind with even greater fidelity.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Madame de Granville had perhaps stamped the various things she had ordered with the seal of her own character; the young lawyer was certainly startled by the cold, arid solemnity that reigned in these rooms; he found nothing to charm his taste; everything was discordant, nothing gratified the eye.
