used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
(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 In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
appartamento
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
the two together, not just one
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
Diana'snounUS /daɪˈænəz/
possessive form of “diana” — English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
holidaynounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
go away from a place
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
nicetynounUS /ˈnaɪsɪti/
conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
nobile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
Norton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
Palazzo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
PROPOSALnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading THE PROPOSAL.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
a general conscious awareness
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
Sogni
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
Sophy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PROPOSAL.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
tidinessnoun
the habit of being tidy
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading In moments of excitement, and in the early part of the day, the door of communication was sometimes left open, though it was against all the English ideas of nicety and tidiness, in which these little ladies were so strong, to leave a bedroom visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rooms on the third floor of the Palazzo de Sogni were not like those in Diana’s beautiful _appartamento_.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
at the time that
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The drawing-room, which was so spacious and lofty in the _piano nobile_, was low, and divided into two; one half of it was Mrs. Norton’s bedroom.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
in the company of; together with
From this reading But what else could be done, when Sophy was seized with that anxiety about her toilet, and the delightful sense of preparation for a further holiday whirled them both out of their sober routine?
