used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
celebratedadjectiveUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
closetsnounUS /ˈklɑːzəts/
plural of “closet” — a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
clothes-presses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
conglomerations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
continualadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəl/
recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
without stop or interruption
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
cupboardsnounUS /ˈkʌbərdz/
plural of “cupboard” — a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The kitchen wasn't _redd up_ that day nor the next.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
to come or go into
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
usually; as a rule
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
improveverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːv/
to make better
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
Kate's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading The kitchen wasn't _redd up_ that day nor the next.
engage in
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
marvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
MossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The kitchen wasn't _redd up_ that day nor the next.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The kitchen wasn't _redd up_ that day nor the next.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
receiptnounUS /rɪˈsiːt/
the act of receiving
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
redd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The kitchen wasn't _redd up_ that day nor the next.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
rubbishnounUS /ˈrʌbɪʃ/
worthless material that is to be disposed of
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
stepmothernounUS /ˈstepmʌðər/
the wife of your father by a subsequent marriage
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The kitchen wasn't _redd up_ that day nor the next.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The kitchen wasn't _redd up_ that day nor the next.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
untidyadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪdi/
not neat and tidy
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The kitchen wasn't _redd up_ that day nor the next.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was generally agreed that Elsie Moss must have been very carefully trained by her stepmother to bring about such a marvel.
someone who visits
From this reading A chance visitor now could enter any room in the front of the house at any hour, and there was much comment among the people upon the change.
wagesnounUS /ˈweɪdʒəz/
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Kate's gratitude for the regular receipt of her wages was continual and practical.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The kitchen wasn't _redd up_ that day nor the next.
weepverbUS /wiːp/
shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading It remained, indeed, a sight to make a good housekeeper weep, and closets, cupboards, clothes-presses, and the celebrated servants' parlor remained untidy conglomerations of rubbish; but the general appearance of the place continued to improve.
