used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The afternoon was already drawing in, lights were twinkling in the village and in the windows of the Château.
Alain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The afternoon was already drawing in, lights were twinkling in the village and in the windows of the Château.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Inside, there were blazing wood fires everywhere.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading There was a sense of bustle and expectancy in the house.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
ChâteaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
A large French country house or castle, often surrounded by expansive estates and private galleries.
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading The afternoon was already drawing in, lights were twinkling in the village and in the windows of the Château.
to or in any or all places
From this reading Inside, there were blazing wood fires everywhere.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
expectancynounUS /ɪkˈspektənsi/
an expectation
From this reading There was a sense of bustle and expectancy in the house.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading Inside, there were blazing wood fires everywhere.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was a sense of bustle and expectancy in the house.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
improvingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvɪŋ/
getting higher or more vigorous
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The afternoon was already drawing in, lights were twinkling in the village and in the windows of the Château.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Inside, there were blazing wood fires everywhere.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading The afternoon was already drawing in, lights were twinkling in the village and in the windows of the Château.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
obliteratingverbUS /əˈblɪtəreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “obliterate” — mark for deletion, rub off, or erase
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
and nothing more
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
polishingnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃɪŋ/
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading There was a sense of bustle and expectancy in the house.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Inside, there were blazing wood fires everywhere.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The afternoon was already drawing in, lights were twinkling in the village and in the windows of the Château.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The afternoon was already drawing in, lights were twinkling in the village and in the windows of the Château.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The afternoon was already drawing in, lights were twinkling in the village and in the windows of the Château.
a Caucasian
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading HUSBAND AND WIFE SNOW was upon the old Château, obliterating all paths and flower beds, showing only a wide expanse of pure white around it.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The afternoon was already drawing in, lights were twinkling in the village and in the windows of the Château.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The passages and floors were like mirrors with much polishing, and Alain was improving the occasion by sliding up and down them.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Inside, there were blazing wood fires everywhere.
