used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading A telephone stood at her elbow amongst a chaos of tortoiseshell-backed toilet articles.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Madame Félanie was a clever woman and she understood the art of environment.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading A telephone stood at her elbow amongst a chaos of tortoiseshell-backed toilet articles.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A telephone stood at her elbow amongst a chaos of tortoiseshell-backed toilet articles.
attentionsnounUS /əˈtenʃənz/
plural of “attention” — the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
bowernounUS /ˈbaʊər/
a framework that supports climbing plants
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
chaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading A telephone stood at her elbow amongst a chaos of tortoiseshell-backed toilet articles.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading Madame Félanie was a clever woman and she understood the art of environment.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
contemplatingverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
divannounUS /dɪˈvæn/
a long backless sofa (usually with pillows against a wall)
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
dressing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading A telephone stood at her elbow amongst a chaos of tortoiseshell-backed toilet articles.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
environmentnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/
the totality of surrounding conditions
From this reading Madame Félanie was a clever woman and she understood the art of environment.
etchingnounUS /ˈetʃɪŋ/
an impression made from an etched plate
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
Félanie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
gaily-decorated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
maid'snounUS /meɪdz/
possessive form of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
used to form the superlative
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
REVUEnounUS /rɪˈvjuː/
a variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Madame Félanie was a clever woman and she understood the art of environment.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A telephone stood at her elbow amongst a chaos of tortoiseshell-backed toilet articles.
strenuousadjectiveUS /ˈstrenjuːəs/
characterized by or performed with much energy or force
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading A telephone stood at her elbow amongst a chaos of tortoiseshell-backed toilet articles.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading A telephone stood at her elbow amongst a chaos of tortoiseshell-backed toilet articles.
tortoiseshell-backed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A telephone stood at her elbow amongst a chaos of tortoiseshell-backed toilet articles.
transformedadjectiveUS /trænˈsfɔːrmd/
given a completely different form or appearance
From this reading Her dressing-room, during the many months of her great success, had become transformed into a little bower of luxury and comfort.
triflesnounUS /ˈtraɪfəlz/
plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Madame Félanie was a clever woman and she understood the art of environment.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
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 There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN INTERRUPTED REVUE Madame Félanie sat before the gaily-decorated mirror which swung upon her dressing table, contemplating the result of her maid's careful and strenuous attentions.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Madame Félanie was a clever woman and she understood the art of environment.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading There was a soft green carpet upon the floor, a wonderful divan in the most comfortable corner, a few trifles of Empire furniture, an etching or so upon the wall.
