used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
alternatelyadverbUS /ˈɔːltərnətli/
in an alternating sequence or position
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The two young ladies are, with the exception of their bonnets, in elegant carriage costume.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT MADAME MIREBEAU'S, OXFORD STREET.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
bonnets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two young ladies are, with the exception of their bonnets, in elegant carriage costume.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
brilliancenounUS /ˈbrɪljəns/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading The two young ladies are, with the exception of their bonnets, in elegant carriage costume.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading The two young ladies are, with the exception of their bonnets, in elegant carriage costume.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
command with authority
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
dismalness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
draperiesnounUS /ˈdreɪpəriz/
plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
elegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
From this reading The two young ladies are, with the exception of their bonnets, in elegant carriage costume.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading The two young ladies are, with the exception of their bonnets, in elegant carriage costume.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
Half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
lace-draped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
listlesslyadverbUS /ˈlɪstləsli/
in a listless manner
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
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 This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
luxuriousadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriəs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading AT MADAME MIREBEAU'S, OXFORD STREET.
Mayfair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
MIREBEAU'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT MADAME MIREBEAU'S, OXFORD STREET.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
OXFORDnounUS /ˈɑːksfərd/
a city in southern England to the northwest of London; site of Oxford University
From this reading AT MADAME MIREBEAU'S, OXFORD STREET.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
passers-bynounUS /ˈpæsərzbaɪ/
plural of “passer-by” — a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
rationounUS /ˈreɪʃioʊ/
the relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient)
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
satinnounUS /ˈsætən/
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
be seated
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
softestadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːftəst/
superlative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading AT MADAME MIREBEAU'S, OXFORD STREET.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
upholsterynounUS /əˈpoʊlstəri/
covering (padding and springs and webbing and fabric) on a piece of furniture
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
West-End
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
belonging to which person
From this reading The house was one of those big black West-End houses, whose outward darkness and dismalness is in direct ratio to their inward brilliance and splendor.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This particular room is lofty and long, luxurious with softest carpet, satin upholstery, pictures, flowers, and lace draperies.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Half-past four of a delightful June afternoon, and two young ladies sit at two large, lace-draped windows, overlooking a fashionable Mayfair street, alternately glancing over the books they hold, and listlessly watching the passers-by.
