adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
Abbie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
adjoiningverbUS /əˈdʒɔɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
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 The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
attainableadjectiveUS /əˈteɪnəbəl/
capable of being attained or accomplished
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
bednounUS /bed/
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
boarding-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
Bressant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
broad-seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
comfortableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
containedadjectiveUS /kənˈteɪnd/
gotten under control
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
DAGUERROTYPE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DAGUERROTYPE.
darklyadverbUS /ˈdɑːrkli/
without light
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/
being one more than seven
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
entrynounUS /ˈentri/
an item inserted in a written record
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
erraticadjectiveUS /ɪˈrætɪk/
liable to sudden unpredictable change
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
fifty-foot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
foldingnounUS /ˈfoʊldɪŋ/
the process whereby a protein molecule assumes its intricate three-dimensional shape
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
furniturenounUS /ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər/
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
gracenounUS /ɡreɪs/
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
judgeverbUS /dʒʌdʒ/
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
loungeverbUS /laʊndʒ/
sit or recline comfortably
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
monopolizedverbUS /məˈnɑːpəlaɪzd/
past form of “monopolize” — have and control fully and exclusively
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
held or filled or in use
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
ornamentedverbUS /ˈɔːrnəmentɪd/
past form of “ornament” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
permittedverbUS /pərˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
portionnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃən/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
roomsnounUS /ruːmz/
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
roomynounUS /ˈruːmi/
an associate who shares a room with you
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
sizenounUS /saɪz/
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
squeakyadjectiveUS /ˈskwiːki/
having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DAGUERROTYPE.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
turnsnounUS /tɜːrnz/
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
twelvenounUS /twelv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bressant occupied two adjoining rooms at Abbie's boarding-house; one contained his bed and the other was fitted up as his study.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The study was some twelve feet by eight; the floor ornamented by a carpet which, to judge from the size of the pattern, must have been designed to grace some fifty-foot drawing-room.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading They were on the second floor of the house, and attainable through two turns in the lower entry, a winding flight of narrow stairs, and an uncertain, darkly erratic route above.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The furniture consisted of a deal table with a folding leaf, a chair, a stove--which, perhaps because it was so small, had been permitted to remain all summer--and a broad-seated lounge with squeaky springs, but quite roomy and comfortable, which monopolized a large portion of the room.
