adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
accessibleadjectiveUS /ækˈsesəbəl/
capable of being reached
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
apparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/
from appearances alone
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
boldadjectiveUS /boʊld/
fearless and daring
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
book-shelf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The books seem to have been made to last,--to stand a great deal of reading.
boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/
confined by bonds
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
brownishadjectiveUS /ˈbraʊnɪʃ/
of a color similar to that of wood or earth
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
centrenounUS /ˈsentər/
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
clearverbUS /klɪr/
rid of obstructions
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
contentsnounUS /ˈkɑːntents/
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
coververbUS /ˈkʌvər/
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading The books seem to have been made to last,--to stand a great deal of reading.
designnounUS /dɪˈzaɪn/
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
exposurenounUS /ɪkˈspoʊʒər/
vulnerability to the elements; to the action of heat or cold or wind or rain
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The books seem to have been made to last,--to stand a great deal of reading.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
lapseverbUS /læps/
pass into a specified state or condition
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading The books seem to have been made to last,--to stand a great deal of reading.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/
a room where books are kept
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The books seem to have been made to last,--to stand a great deal of reading.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
muslinnounUS /ˈmʌzlən/
plain-woven cotton fabric
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
PersiannounUS /ˈpɜːrʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
purplenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəl/
a purple color or pigment
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
readingnounUS /ˈriːdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The books seem to have been made to last,--to stand a great deal of reading.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The books seem to have been made to last,--to stand a great deal of reading.
serviceableadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəbəl/
ready for service or able to give long service
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
stainedadjectiveUS /steɪnd/
marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
stoutlyadverbUS /ˈstaʊtli/
in a resolute manner
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
THEODORE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THEODORE WINTHROP'S WRITINGS.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
tolerablyadverb
in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
tornadjectiveUS /tɔːrn/
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
typenounUS /taɪp/
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
volumesnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːmz/
plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
WINTHROP'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THEODORE WINTHROP'S WRITINGS.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading These are stoutly bound in purple muslin, with a stamp, of Persian design apparently, on the centre of each cover.
wornverbUS /wɔːrn/
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading They are stained and worn, and the backs have faded to a brownish hue, from exposure to the light, and a leaf in one of the volumes has been torn across; but the paper and the sewing and the clear bold type are still as serviceable as ever.
WRITINGSnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋz/
the third of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures
From this reading THEODORE WINTHROP'S WRITINGS.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading On an accessible book-shelf in my library, stand side by side four volumes whose contents I once knew by heart, and which, after the lapse of twenty years, are yet tolerably distinct in my memory.
