used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
admonishverbUS /ædˈmɑːnɪʃ/
advise or counsel in terms of someone's behavior
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
awenounUS /ɑː/
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
From this reading The uninitiated enter with a pleasurable sense of awe.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
bookcasenounUS /ˈbʊkkeɪs/
a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
confessionalnounUS /kənˈfeʃənəl/
a booth where a priest sits to hear confessions
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
consulting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
crocusesnounUS /ˈkroʊkjuːsɪz/
plural of “crocus” — any of numerous low-growing plants of the genus Crocus having slender grasslike leaves and white or yellow or purple flowers; native chiefly to the Mediterranean region but widely cultivated
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
drabadjectiveUS /dræb/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
to come or go into
From this reading The uninitiated enter with a pleasurable sense of awe.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
gauzenounUS /ɡɔːz/
(medicine) bleached cotton cloth of plain weave used for bandages and dressings
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
LentnounUS /lent/
a period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
liliesnounUS /ˈlɪliz/
plural of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
loopedverbUS /luːpt/
past form of “loop” — move in loops
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
ParkernounUS /ˈpɑːrkər/
United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
physician'snounUS /fəˈzɪʃənz/
possessive form of “physician” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
pleasurableadjectiveUS /ˈpleʒərəbəl/
affording satisfaction or pleasure
From this reading The uninitiated enter with a pleasurable sense of awe.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
screenedverbUS /skriːnd/
past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The uninitiated enter with a pleasurable sense of awe.
sergenounUS /sɜːrdʒ/
a twilled woolen fabric
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːləmli/
in a grave and sedate manner
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
Steel'snounUS /stiːlz/
possessive form of “steel” — an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
text-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However drab and dismal it may be, a physician’s consulting-room has much of the mystery that shadows the confessional of the priest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
uninitiatedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪˈnɪʃieɪtɪd/
not initiated; deficient in relevant experience
From this reading The uninitiated enter with a pleasurable sense of awe.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
in or at the place that
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
a Caucasian
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading The lower part of the window was screened by a wire gauze blind, and the red serge curtains were looped back close to the shutters.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading Wisdom seems to admonish them from her temple of text-books piled up solemnly in the professional bookcase.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The uninitiated enter with a pleasurable sense of awe.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The windows of Parker Steel’s consulting-room looked out on the garden at the back of the house, where Lent lilies were already swinging their golden heads over borders of crocuses, purple, yellow, and white.
