AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
adornverbUS /əˈdɔːrn/
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
benchesnounUS /ˈbentʃɪz/
plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
boxnounUS /bɑːks/
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
ChippendalenounUS /ˈtʃɪpədeɪl/
a British cabinetmaker remembered for his graceful designs (especially of chairs) which influenced his contemporaries (1718-1779)
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
châteaux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/
placed crosswise
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
deodoras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
DukenounUS /duːk/
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
edgenounUS /edʒ/
the boundary of a surface
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
faintadjectiveUS /feɪnt/
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
lednounUS /led/
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
LETTERnounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
lightedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəd/
set afire or burning
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
LUPINnounUS /ˈluːpən/
any plant of the genus Lupinus; bearing erect spikes of usually purplish-blue flowers
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
morocconounUS /mərˈɑːkoʊ/
a kingdom (constitutional monarchy) in northwestern Africa with a largely Muslim population; achieved independence from France in 1956
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
moss-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
musingnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪŋ/
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
pausedverbUS /pɔːzd/
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
pendantnounUS /ˈpendənt/
an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry (necklace or earring)
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
playingnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
shrubberynounUS /ˈʃrʌbəri/
an area where a number of shrubs are planted
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
Sonia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
stonenounUS /stoʊn/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Then he turned to the right, went down a flight of steps to the lower terrace, crossed the lawn, and took a narrow path which led into the heart of a shrubbery of tall deodoras.
weather-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the middle of it he came to one of those old stone benches, moss-covered and weather-stained, which adorn the gardens of so many French châteaux.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He crossed the hall to the Chippendale bureau, took a cigarette from a box which stood on the ledge of it, beside the morocco case which held the pendant, lighted it, and went slowly out on to the terrace.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A LETTER FROM LUPIN The Duke stood for a while staring thoughtfully at the door through which Sonia had passed, a faint smile playing round his lips.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He crossed it slowly, paused for a moment on the edge of it, and looked across the stretch of country with musing eyes, which saw nothing of its beauty.
