used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
(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 "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
attitudesnounUS /ˈætətuːdz/
plural of “attitude” — a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading OF MIXED BLOOD.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
carvingnounUS /ˈkɑːrvɪŋ/
a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
clocksnounUS /klɑːks/
European weed naturalized in southwestern United States and Mexico having reddish decumbent stems with small fernlike leaves and small deep reddish-lavender flowers followed by slender fruits that stick straight up; often grown for forage
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
copiedverbUS /ˈkɑːpid/
inflected form of “copy” — copy down as is
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
traveling across
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
cushionnounUS /ˈkʊʃən/
a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
Derrice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
draperiesnounUS /ˈdreɪpəriz/
plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
remove the dust from
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
explanatoryadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsplænətɔːri/
serving or intended to explain or make clear
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
set up or found
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
Gastonguay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
gewgaws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
gildingnounUS /ˈɡɪldɪŋ/
a coating of gold or of something that looks like gold
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
giltadjectiveUS /ɡɪlt/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
coins made of gold
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
hangingsnounUS /ˈhæŋɡɪŋz/
plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
high-backedadjective
having a high back
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
engage in
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading OF MIXED BLOOD.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OF MIXED BLOOD.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
only a very short time before
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
sofasnounUS /ˈsoʊfəz/
plural of “sofa” — an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
spindle-leggedadjective
having long slender legs
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
trionounUS /ˈtriːoʊ/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
upholsteredverbUS /əˈpoʊlstərd/
past form of “upholster” — provide furniture with padding, springs, webbing, and covers
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon crossing the threshold of the house, Derrice found herself in an interior evidently copied from the French.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
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 "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "I hate dust," said Miss Gastonguay, in an explanatory way, "and upholstered furniture and gewgaws all over parlour walls make me ill.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
a Caucasian
From this reading A number of white and gold spindle-legged chairs stood in various graceful attitudes about the room; there were but few hangings and draperies, and scarcely a cushion to be seen.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The floors were of hard wood, a few handsome rugs lay about them; there was an abundance of carving and gilding in the drawing-room that they entered, two gilt clocks, two mirrors, and a trio of high-backed yellow silk sofas.
