adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
admitverbUS /ədˈmɪt/
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
apartmentnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənt/
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
baronnounUS /ˈbærən/
a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
Beatrix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
Calyste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
CarpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
contrastedverbUS /kənˈtræstəd/
past form of “contrast” — put in opposition to show or emphasize differences
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
crossingnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/
traveling across
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
doubleverbUS /ˈdʌbəl/
increase twofold
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
externaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɜːrnəl/
happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
floweringnounUS /ˈflaʊərɪŋ/
the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
furnishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːrnɪʃt/
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
giltadjectiveUS /ɡɪlt/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
gravenounUS /ɡreɪv/
death of a person
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
ill-kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
landingsnounUS /ˈlændɪŋz/
plural of “landing” — an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
lozengesnounUS /ˈlɔːzəndʒəz/
plural of “lozenge” — a small aromatic or medicated candy
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
meanverbUS /miːn/
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
nailsnounUS /neɪlz/
plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
portieres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
proprietornounUS /prəˈpraɪətər/
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
pumiced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
roomsnounUS /ruːmz/
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
salonnounUS /səˈlɑːn/
gallery where works of art can be displayed
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
servantnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənt/
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
silknounUS /sɪlk/
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
studdedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdɪd/
dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
stylenounUS /staɪl/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Silk and velvet furnished the rooms through which Calyste passed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading On the first floor the old servant opened, in order to admit the baron into the apartment, a double door of red velvet with lozenges of red silk studded with gilt nails.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Calyste awaited Beatrix in a salon of sober character, where all the luxury was simple in style.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Calyste went up a staircase the steps of which were well pumiced and the landings filled with flowering plants.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Carpets in grave colors, curtains crossing each other before the windows, portieres, in short all things within contrasted with the mean external appearance of the house, which was ill-kept by the proprietor.
