adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
abodenounUS /əˈboʊd/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
analogynounUS /əˈnælədʒi/
an inference that if things agree in some respects they probably agree in others
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
cracksnounUS /kræks/
plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
crownedadjectiveUS /kraʊnd/
having an (artificial) crown on a tooth
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
delightfuladjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəl/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
diagonaladjectiveUS /daɪˈæɡənəl/
connecting two nonadjacent corners of a plane figure or any two corners of a solid that are not in the same face
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
du
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
ereconjunctionUS /er/
an old word for “before”
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
evidentadjectiveUS /ˈevədənt/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/
at a previous time
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
Half-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
hieroglyphicsnounUS /ˌhaɪroʊˈɡlɪfɪks/
plural of “hieroglyphic” — writing that resembles hieroglyphics (usually by being illegible)
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
historiansnounUS /hɪˈstɔːriənz/
plural of “historian” — a person who is an authority on history and who studies it and writes about it
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
horizontaladjectiveUS /ˌhɔːrəˈzɑːntəl/
parallel to or in the plane of the horizon or a base line
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
lightestadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəst/
superlative of “light” — of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
mortices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
nameverbUS /neɪm/
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
parallelnounUS /ˈperəlel/
something having the property of being analogous to something else
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
ParisnounUS /ˈperɪs/
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
passer-bynoun
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
Petit-Lion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
plasterverbUS /ˈplæstər/
apply a heavy coat to
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
quivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
reconstructverbUS /ˌriːkənˈstrʌkt/
reassemble mentally
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
roofnounUS /ruːf/
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
RuenounUS /ruː/
European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
Saint-Denis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
timbersnounUS /ˈtɪmbərz/
plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
triangularadjectiveUS /traɪˈæŋɡjələr/
having three angles; forming or shaped like a triangle
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
tumbledown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
vehiclenounUS /ˈviːhɪkəl/
a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
venerableadjectiveUS /ˈvenərəbəl/
impressive by reason of age
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
Vs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — 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 The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was evident that every beam quivered in its mortices at the passing of the lightest vehicle.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Half-way down the Rue Saint-Denis, almost at the corner of the Rue du Petit-Lion, there stood formerly one of those delightful houses which enable historians to reconstruct old Paris by analogy.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading This venerable structure was crowned by a triangular roof of which no example will, ere long, be seen in Paris.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The threatening walls of this tumbledown abode seemed to have been decorated with hieroglyphics.
Xs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For what other name could the passer-by give to the Xs and Vs which the horizontal or diagonal timbers traced on the front, outlined by little parallel cracks in the plaster?
