used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
(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 The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
appurtenances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
BUDDYnounUS /ˈbʌdi/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
chaise-longue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Chambers was in possession of the wicker chaise-longue.
ChambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading Mr. Chambers was in possession of the wicker chaise-longue.
chintzes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
closed-in
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Ruth had poured tea with deft and dainty fingers, though she was unusually silent, even for her.
deftadjectiveUS /deft/
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
From this reading Ruth had poured tea with deft and dainty fingers, though she was unusually silent, even for her.
delicaciesnounUS /ˈdelɪkəsiz/
plural of “delicacy” — the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
divisible by two
From this reading Ruth had poured tea with deft and dainty fingers, though she was unusually silent, even for her.
exileverbUS /ˈeɡzaɪl/
expel from a country
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
Farradays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Ruth had poured tea with deft and dainty fingers, though she was unusually silent, even for her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
glamournounUS /ˈɡlæmər/
alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
homesicknessnounUS /ˈhoʊmsɪknəs/
a longing to return home
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
ladenadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdən/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
luxuriousadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriəs/
displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
a female domestic
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
manipulatingverbUS /məˈnɪpjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “manipulate” — influence or control shrewdly or deviously
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Chambers was in possession of the wicker chaise-longue.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
patheticadjectiveUS /pəˈθetɪk/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Mr. Chambers was in possession of the wicker chaise-longue.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading Ruth had poured tea with deft and dainty fingers, though she was unusually silent, even for her.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
with low volume
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Ruth had poured tea with deft and dainty fingers, though she was unusually silent, even for her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Ruth had poured tea with deft and dainty fingers, though she was unusually silent, even for her.
strewnverbUS /struːn/
inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
teatimenoun
a light midafternoon meal of tea and sandwiches or cakes
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Ruth had poured tea with deft and dainty fingers, though she was unusually silent, even for her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Ruth had poured tea with deft and dainty fingers, though she was unusually silent, even for her.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading The trim maid, quietly manipulating the tea wagon laden with the delicacies of the usual teatime meal, took on an almost pathetic glamour to the little exile.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The big, closed-in porch, which was practically their summer living room, gay with chintzes and strewn with all the appurtenances of luxurious modern existence, always gave her a little feeling of homesickness for the life to which she was used in town.
wickernounUS /ˈwɪkər/
slender flexible branches or twigs (especially of willow or some canes); used for wickerwork
From this reading Mr. Chambers was in possession of the wicker chaise-longue.
in the company of; together with
From this reading BUDDY WANTS TO KNOW Elizabeth had been to tea with the Farradays.
