adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
ALMOSTadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
baronialadjective
impressive in appearance
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
Christmas-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/
come together as in a cluster or flock
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
converseverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/
carry on a conversation
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
crackledverbUS /ˈkrækəld/
past form of “crackle” — make a crackling sound
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
dewless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
eldersnounUS /ˈeldərz/
plural of “elder” — a person who is older than you are
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
enlivenedadjectiveUS /enˈlaɪvənd/
made sprightly or cheerful
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
fierceradjectiveUS /ˈfɪrsər/
comparative of “fierce” — marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
fire-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
gatheredadjectiveUS /ˈɡæðərd/
brought together in one place
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
gravernounUS /ˈɡreɪvər/
a tool used by an engraver
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/
comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
In-doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
jubilantadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːbələnt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
juniorsnounUS /ˈdʒuːnjərz/
plural of “junior” — term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
laughternounUS /ˈlæftər/
the sound of laughing
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
Mabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
merryadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
peals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
Ridgeley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/
past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
rosesnounUS /ˈroʊzɪz/
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
semicirclenoun
a plane figure with the shape of half a circle
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
stirverbUS /stɜːr/
move an implement through
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
streamnounUS /striːm/
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
sundownnounUS /ˈsʌndaʊn/
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
surfnounUS /sɜːrf/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
tidenounUS /taɪd/
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In-doors, fires roared and crackled upon every hearth; there was a stir of busy or merry life in every room.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
wassailverb
celebrate noisily, often indulging in drinking; engage in uproarious festivities
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
waxingnounUS /ˈwæksɪŋ/
the application of wax to a surface
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading About the spacious fire-place in the “baronial” hall was a wide semicircle of young people, and before that in the parlor, a cluster of elders, whose graver talk was enlivened, from time to time, by the peals of laughter that tossed into jubilant surf the stream of the juniors' converse.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without, the fall of snow that had commenced at sundown, was waxing heavier and the wind fiercer.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading ALMOST sixteen months had passed since the dewless September morning, when Mabel had gathered roses in the garden walks, and her brother's return had shaken the dew with the bloom from her young heart.
yulenounUS /juːl/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading It was the evening of Christmas-day, and the tide of wassail, the blaze of yule, were high at Ridgeley.
