used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
bookcasenounUS /ˈbʊkkeɪs/
a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
confined by bonds
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
the act of burning something
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
cabinetnounUS /ˈkæbənət/
a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
being joined in close association
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
costlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstli/
entailing great loss or sacrifice
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
expensivelyadverbUS /ˌekˈspensɪvli/
in an expensive manner
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
hallwaynounUS /ˈhɔːlweɪ/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
JapanesenounUS /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
a native or inhabitant of Japan
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
keen-eyedadjective
having keen eyesight
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
lazyadjectiveUS /ˈleɪzi/
moving slowly and gently
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
luxuriousadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriəs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
most important element
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
a particular point in time
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
obsequiousadjectiveUS /əbˈsiːkwiəs/
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
peekedverbUS /piːkt/
past form of “peek” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
by chance
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
possessing material wealth
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A Japanese servant, small, obsequious, keen-eyed, opened the door, after the hesitation of a moment, and peeked out.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
steeplenounUS /ˈstiːpəl/
a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The occupant of the flat evidently enjoyed luxurious things and had the money to pay for them.
volumesnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːmz/
plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
walnutnounUS /ˈwɔːlnʌt/
nut of any of various walnut trees having a wrinkled two-lobed seed with a hard shell
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
at the time that
From this reading When a clock in a distant steeple struck midnight there came a knock at the locked door in the main corridor which connected with the private hallway on which the flat opened.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There were in this sitting room, which faced one of the noisy streets, a grand piano, a costly music cabinet, a walnut bookcase filled with expensively bound volumes, numerous lazy chairs of leather, and the rug on the polished floor was rich and soft.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The lights were burning low in a bachelor flat on a noisy street corner in the city of San Francisco, and a man of perhaps thirty lay on a couch with his eyes closed.
