Chapter VI · Chapter 6

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

(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 There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

a quantity of money

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

plural of “bedroom” — a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

plural of “billionaire” — a very rich person whose material wealth is valued at more than a billion dollars

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

produce or yield flowers

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

carefully weighed

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

reduced in size or pulled together

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

something used to beautify

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

in a delicate manner

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

front part of a vessel or aircraft

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

past form of “gauge” — judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

go away from a place

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

characterized by grandeur

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for cabinetwork and furniture

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

plural of “millionaire” — a person whose material wealth is valued at more than a million dollars

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

plural of “mortal” — a human being

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

the mother of your spouse

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

not any; not one

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

many times at short intervals

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

and nothing more

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

burdened psychologically or mentally

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

make a copy or equivalent of

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

the season of growth

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

having a supporting base

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

not in physical motion

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

the act of adding a tinge of color

From this reading There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

a comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

plural of “tunnel” — a passageway through or under something, usually underground (especially one for trains or cars)

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

in or at the place that

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

during the time that

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

which person or people

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

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 There was no solemn mahogany--no light-absorbing color on door or window; all was delicately bright and gay as the tinting of the spring.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Deena worked hard to get the house ready for Polly, who was still in Boston with her mother-in-law, and seemed quite content to leave the arranging of her new quarters to her sister and husband, who preceded her by several weeks; indeed, she was becoming so accustomed to being waited upon that she considered herself in a fair way of being spoiled.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading Ben declared that his income only admitted light fore and aft, but that with skillful decoration they could at least travesty the sunshine, and so they tried to reproduce its effects by wall hangings of faint yellow and pale green, by chintz-covered bedrooms that seemed to blossom with roses, and living rooms sweet with fresh flowers.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading She told Ben that fortunes in New York could be gauged by the amount of light the individual could afford--billionaires had houses standing free, with light on four sides; millionaires had corner houses with light on three sides; while ordinary mortals lived in tunnels more or less magnificent where electric light had often to do duty for the sun.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The house the young Minthrops had taken was of a contracted luxury that oppressed Deena, accustomed as she was to space and sunshine at Harmouth.