used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
apologeticadjectiveUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪk/
offering or expressing apology
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
body-servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
coal-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
coalsnounUS /koʊlz/
plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
Durrus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
establishmentnounUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
the act of forming or establishing something
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
to or in any or all places
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
set up or found
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
brought together in one place
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
a young female
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
greasenounUS /ɡriːs/
a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery)
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
GropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
hearthrugnoun
a rug spread out in front of a fireplace
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
importedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtɪd/
used of especially merchandise brought from a foreign source
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
IMPRESSIONSnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/
plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
improbableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɑːbəbəl/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
incongruities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
engage in
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
murmursnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərz/
plural of “murmur” — a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
not any; not one
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
having official authority or sanction
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
on one occasion
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
privatelyadverbUS /ˈpraɪvətli/
kept private or confined to those intimately concerned
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
satellitenounUS /ˈsætəlaɪt/
man-made equipment that orbits around the earth or the moon
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
semi-articulate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
a person who is owned by someone
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
under-housemaid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I concluded that, improbable as it appeared, this was the under-housemaid, and reflected with some astonishment on the incongruities of the Durrus establishment.
under-housemaid's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, I afterwards found she held no official position, but was a satellite of the under-housemaid’s, privately imported by her as a species of body-servant or slave.
untidyadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪdi/
not neat and tidy
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
which person or people
From this reading The room was cold, and I at once made for the fire, and, to my surprise, found the hearthrug occupied by an untidy little girl, who was engaged in dropping grease from a candle over the coals to make them burn.
windyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪndi/
abounding in or exposed to the wind or breezes
From this reading IMPRESSIONS “Groping in the windy stair, Darkness and the breath of space Like loud waters everywhere.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading On seeing me she sprang to her feet, and, with semi-articulate apologetic murmurs, she gathered up a coal-box and retired in confusion.
