used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
blusteringadjectiveUS /ˈblʌstərɪŋ/
blowing in violent and abrupt bursts
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
conservatorynounUS /kənˈsɜːrvətɔːri/
the faculty and students of a school specializing in one of the fine arts
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
drippedverbUS /drɪpt/
inflected form of “drip” — fall in drops
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
evenlyadverbUS /ˈiːvənli/
in equal amounts or shares; in a balanced or impartial way
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
everydayadjectiveUS /ˈevriˈdeɪ/
found in the ordinary course of events
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
Gerdy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
depressingly dark
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
a social unit living together
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
indoorsadverbUS /ˈɪndɔːrz/
within a building
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
mercilessadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsələs/
having or showing no mercy
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
neighbournounUS /ˈneɪbər/
a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
noddingadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
and nothing more
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
capable of happening or existing
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
racketnounUS /ˈrækɪt/
a loud and disturbing noise
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
sagelyadverb
in a wise manner
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
silver-greyadjective
of grey resembling silver
From this reading The old grandmother sat mostly in the conservatory and looked out into the garden, sagely nodding her silver-grey head.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
with low volume
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
the season of growth
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
move an implement through
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
carry out
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
tappingnounUS /ˈtæpɪŋ/
the sound of light blow or knock
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
tennis-club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
in or at that place or location
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
villa-road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
in or at the place that
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
wind-blown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
window-panes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the winter, it was a quiet life indoors, varied only by a walk, or a visit to a sick or poor neighbour, a quiet life between the walls of the big rooms, with the wind tapping at the window-panes....
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The household took its everyday course of a morning: the everyday life, driven indoors by the merciless winter, the grey skies and blustering wind, rolled on softly and evenly in the rooms and passages of the big house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not much came from outside, where the great trees in the garden dripped with chill rain; nothing to stir the big house, which stood there like a great lonely block on the villa-road, amid the sombre mystery of its wind-blown trees.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For the occupants of the big, gloomy house had made as few acquaintances as possible among their neighbours, though in the spring and summer Gerdy would take her racket daily to the tennis-club....
