adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
blotnounUS /blɑːt/
a blemish made by dirt
From this reading The Happy Pair The dark blot on the street is gone.
boardnounUS /bɔːrd/
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
castsnounUS /kæsts/
plural of “cast” — the actors in a play
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
contingencynounUS /kənˈtɪndʒənsi/
a possible event or occurrence or result
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
cumbrousadjective
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The Happy Pair The dark blot on the street is gone.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
dinner-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
Dombey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
gapnounUS /ɡæp/
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
glownounUS /ɡloʊ/
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
GodsnounUS /ɡɑːdz/
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading The Happy Pair The dark blot on the street is gone.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
handsomelyadverbUS /ˈhænsəmli/
in an attractively handsome manner
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
hangingsnounUS /ˈhæŋɡɪŋz/
plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
HappyadjectiveUS /ˈhæpi/
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The Happy Pair The dark blot on the street is gone.
haughtilyadverbUS /ˈhɔːtɪli/
in a haughty manner
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The saying is, that home is home, be it never so homely.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading The saying is, that home is home, be it never so homely.
HouseholdnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊld/
a social unit living together
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Happy Pair The dark blot on the street is gone.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
LightsnounUS /laɪts/
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The saying is, that home is home, be it never so homely.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Happy Pair The dark blot on the street is gone.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
oppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
PairnounUS /per/
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading The Happy Pair The dark blot on the street is gone.
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
platenounUS /pleɪt/
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
raisedadjectiveUS /reɪzd/
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
ruddyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌdi/
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
sayingnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋ/
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading The saying is, that home is home, be it never so homely.
servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The Happy Pair The dark blot on the street is gone.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The saying is, that home is home, be it never so homely.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Happy Pair The dark blot on the street is gone.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
viedverbUS /vaɪd/
past form of “vie” — compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
waitsnounUS /weɪts/
plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If it hold good in the opposite contingency, and home is home be it never so stately, what an altar to the Household Gods is raised up here!
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Lights are sparkling in the windows this evening, and the ruddy glow of fires is warm and bright upon the hangings and soft carpets, and the dinner waits to be served, and the dinner-table is handsomely set forth, though only for four persons, and the side board is cumbrous with plate.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr Dombey’s mansion, if it be a gap among the other houses any longer, is only so because it is not to be vied with in its brightness, and haughtily casts them off.
