used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
afflictedadjectiveUS /əˈflɪktɪd/
grievously affected especially by disease
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
anew
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
(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 Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
the act of breaking something
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
casternounUS /ˈkæstər/
a worker who casts molten metal into finished products
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
coldsnounUS /koʊldz/
plural of “cold” — a mild viral infection involving the nose and respiratory passages (but not the lungs)
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But he did not come and he didn’t write.
cupboardnounUS /ˈkʌbərd/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
DEEPENverbUS /ˈdiːpən/
make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading THE SHADOWS DEEPEN.
demolitionnounUS /ˌdeməˈlɪʃən/
an event (or the result of an event) that completely destroys something
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But he did not come and he didn’t write.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he did not come and he didn’t write.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
dishesnounUS /ˈdɪʃəz/
plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he did not come and he didn’t write.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
housecleaningnounUS /ˈhaʊskliːnɪŋ/
(figurative) the act of reforming by the removal of unwanted personnel or practices or conditions
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
a small worthless amount
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
engage in
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
not any; not one
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But he did not come and he didn’t write.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
and nothing more
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
Phyllis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading THE SHADOWS DEEPEN.
siegenounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
splitverbUS /splɪt/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHADOWS DEEPEN.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
upheavalnounUS /əpˈhiːvəl/
a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Phyllis had a “misery” in her back and we were all more or less afflicted with colds we had caught during the upheaval.
which person or people
From this reading But we had a heap of fun with Jack, who helped us out, and the house was clean, or we thought it so, and only father’s presence was needed to make us quite happy again.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading After a ten days’ siege the housecleaning came to an end, with no worse disaster than the entire demolition of one carpet, literally beaten to death,—the breaking of one or two windows, a caster split off from a bureau, and a cupboard with dishes in it knocked flat in our attempts to move it.
produce a literary work
From this reading But he did not come and he didn’t write.
