used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
anglesnounUS /ˈæŋɡəlz/
plural of “angle” — the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading AUNT MARTHA.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
BethelnounUS /ˈbeθəl/
a house of worship (especially one for sailors)
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
a youthful male person
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
Charlie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
dustedverbUS /ˈdʌstɪd/
past form of “dust” — remove the dust from
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
FanverbUS /fæn/
strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
hallsnounUS /hɔːlz/
plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
Hathern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
MARTHA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUNT MARTHA.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
narroweradjectiveUS /ˈneroʊər/
comparative of “narrow” — not wide
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
not any; not one
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
Phyllis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
precisely, exactly
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
shorteradjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtər/
comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
possessing sweep
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
unusedadjectiveUS /əˈnjuːzd/
not yet used or soiled
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
upheavalnounUS /əpˈhiːvəl/
a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
the topmost one of two
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading If Mrs. Hathern had attacked it during the upheaval we were prepared to do battle.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Opening from this hall was Charlie’s room in which no change had been made since The Boy died.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading There were two halls on the upper floor of our house, one long and wide and running from north to south, the other, shorter and narrower, turned off at right angles, running east and west.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Three or four times a year Phyllis washed the linen and made the bed up fresh and clean, while Fan and I swept and dusted the unused chamber, which had become a kind of Bethel to us.
