used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
for the reason that
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
chintznoun
a brightly printed and glazed cotton fabric
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
cupboardsnounUS /ˈkʌbərdz/
plural of “cupboard” — a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
down-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
dressing-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
start firing a weapon
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FROM THE POST OFFICE.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
the act of retaining something
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
for more time
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
mahoganynounUS /məˈhɑːɡəni/
wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for cabinetwork and furniture
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
not any; not one
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
oakenadjective
consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading FROM THE POST OFFICE.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
and nothing more
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
patchworknounUS /ˈpætʃwɜːrk/
a theory or argument made up of miscellaneous or incongruous ideas
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading FROM THE POST OFFICE.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
quiltnounUS /kwɪlt/
bedding made of two layers of cloth filled with stuffing and stitched together
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
ragnounUS /ræɡ/
a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
rush-bottomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
only a very short time before
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
scrubbedadjectiveUS /skrʌbd/
made clean by scrubbing
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
and nothing more
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
be seated
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
spinning-wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
StarlingnounUS /ˈstɑːrlɪŋ/
gregarious birds native to the Old World
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
Starling's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FROM THE POST OFFICE.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
thriftnounUS /θrɪft/
any of numerous sun-loving low-growing evergreens of the genus Armeria having round heads of pink or white flowers
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mrs. Starling lay down on her bed, simply because she was not able to sit up any longer; but she was scarcely less busy, in truth, than she had been down-stairs.
the act of using
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
valancenoun
a decorative framework to conceal curtain fixtures at the top of a window casing
From this reading A patchwork quilt on the bed; curtains and valance of chintz; a rag carpet covering only part of the floor, the rest scrubbed clean; rush-bottomed chairs; and with those a secretary bureau of old mahogany, a dressing-glass in a dark carved frame, and a large oaken press.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Starling's room was like her; for use, and not for show, with some points of pride, and a general air of humble thrift.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
work-basket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were corner cupboards; a table holding work and work-basket; a spinning-wheel in a corner; a little iron stove, but no fire.
