used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
anthropologynounUS /ˌænθrəˈpɑːlədʒi/
the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings
From this reading There were some on anthropology.
armchairsnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃerz/
plural of “armchair” — chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading Belowdecks was attractive.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
Belowdecks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Belowdecks was attractive.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was no ostentation, but the décor was obviously expensive.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
controversialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈvɜːrʃəl/
marked by or capable of arousing controversy
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
décor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no ostentation, but the décor was obviously expensive.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
electronicsnounUS /ˌɪlekˈtrɑːnɪks/
the branch of physics that deals with the emission and effects of electrons and with the use of electronic devices
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading There was no ostentation, but the décor was obviously expensive.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
marineadjectiveUS /mərˈiːn/
of or relating to the sea
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
monstersnounUS /ˈmɑːnstərz/
plural of “monster” — an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no ostentation, but the décor was obviously expensive.
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading There was no ostentation, but the décor was obviously expensive.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
ostentationnounUS /ˌɔːstenˈteɪʃən/
a gaudy outward display
From this reading There was no ostentation, but the décor was obviously expensive.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
serpentsnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənts/
plural of “serpent” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There were some on anthropology.
TerrynounUS /ˈteri/
English actress (1847-1928)
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no ostentation, but the décor was obviously expensive.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Belowdecks was attractive.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading His voice died away as Terry went down the companion ladder.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There were armchairs, electric lamps, a desk, and shelves filled with books--two or three on electronics and a highly controversial one on marine monsters and sea serpents.
