used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
affectionsnounUS /əˈfekʃənz/
plural of “affection” — a positive feeling of liking
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading "Alas! the love of women!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
from appearances alone
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
bric-à-brac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
BYRONnounUS /ˈbaɪrən/
English romantic poet notorious for his rebellious and unconventional lifestyle (1788-1824)
From this reading BYRON.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
caricatureverbUS /ˈkerəkətʃər/
represent in or produce a caricature of
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
cherishesverbUS /ˈtʃerɪʃɪz/
third-person singular of “cherish” — be fond of; be attached to
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
chinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
cocoonnounUS /kəˈkuːn/
silky envelope spun by the larvae of many insects to protect pupas and by spiders to protect eggs
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
coldlyadverbUS /ˈkoʊldli/
lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
cretonnenoun
an unglazed heavy fabric; brightly printed; used for slipcovers and draperies
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
faithfullyadverbUS /ˈfeɪθfəli/
in a faithful manner
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
habitationnounUS /ˌhæbəˈteɪʃən/
the native habitat or home of an animal or plant
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
incongruousadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋˈkɔːŋruːəs/
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
apprehended with certainty
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
long-tailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading "Alas! the love of women!
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Alas! the love of women!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
originalsnounUS /ərˈɪdʒənəlz/
plural of “original” — an original creation (i.e., an audio recording) from which copies can be made
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
photographverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræf/
record on photographic film
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
photographsnounUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræfs/
plural of “photograph” — a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
poorly-furnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
representverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzent/
take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
not often
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
spillikinsnoun
a game in which players try to pick each jackstraw (or spillikin) off of a pile without moving any of the others
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Alas! the love of women!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Rooms seldom represent their inmates faithfully, any more than photographs their originals, and a poorly-furnished room, like a bad photograph, is, as a rule, a caricature.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
a special situation
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
titnounUS /tɪt/
either of two soft fleshy milk-secreting glandular organs on the chest of a woman
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing."
water-hen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
weaveverbUS /wiːv/
interlace by or as if by weaving
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
which person or people
From this reading But there are fortunate persons who can weave for themselves out of apparently incongruous odds and ends of _bric-à-brac_, and china, and cretonne, a habitation which is as peculiar to them as the moss cocoon is to the long-tailed tit, or as the spillikins, in which she coldly cherishes the domestic affections, are to the water-hen.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "Alas! the love of women!
