Chapter II · Hattie’s Letter

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

recognized or made known or admitted

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

how long something has existed

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

(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 Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

past form of “board” — get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

plural of “boarder” — a tenant in someone's house

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

English architect (1723-1796)

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

a price below the standard price

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

prepare a hot meal

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

the first light of day

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

plural of “employer” — a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

something many people believe that is false

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

a .45-caliber pistol

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

a young female

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

moving to the inside of something

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

past form of “lodge” — be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

a female domestic

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

engage in

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

come together

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

covered with or smelling of mold

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

used to form the superlative

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

past form of “nail” — attach something somewhere by means of nails

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

not any; not one

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

and nothing more

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

above and across; more than

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

past form of “paper” — cover with paper

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

by chance

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

inspiring mixed contempt and pity

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

(“ill” is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

express in words

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

subsist on a meager allowance

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

in or at that place or location

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

up to a particular time

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

the topmost one of two

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

exposed to air

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

a woman waiter

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

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 Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading For this was the inscription on a faded tin sign nailed over the front door.

clean with some chemical process

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

which person or people

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading She had but two servants--one to cook, wash, and iron, the other a pitiful, thin little creature, as errand girl, waitress, maid of all work, and all work it was for her, from early dawn till far into the night.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading And in this building existed--I will not say lived--most of the time, between thirty and fifty working girls, attracted there by the cheapness of board, which enabled them to make ends meet on the wretched wages due to “hard times,” or hard-hearted employers, or perhaps to a medium between the two.

in a wretched manner

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

a late time of life

From this reading Miss Scrimp, a maiden lady, who acknowledged herself to be forty-five--one of the oldest boarders said that had been her age for over ten years--only charged four dollars a week for boarders in her best, lower rooms, and it ran as low as two dollars and a half in the upper story, and two attic chambers--for this was a four-story house.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Fancy a dingy old brick house on B---- street, New York city--dusty outside and moldy in all its ragged, papered walls inside--a dreary house with small, poorly ventilated rooms--these rooms wretchedly furnished, and I have made you at home in “Miss Scrimp’s Boarding-House for ladies only--no gentlemen boarded, lodged, or admitted.”