used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
ancestraladjectiveUS /ænˈsestrəl/
inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
apologeticadjectiveUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪk/
offering or expressing apology
From this reading The limited resources of the count precluded even an apologetic semblance of repairs.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
BrittanynounUS /ˈbrɪtəni/
a former province of northwestern France on a peninsula between the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
characterizesverbUS /ˈkerəktəraɪzəz/
third-person singular of “characterize” — describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
chateaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
an impressive country house (or castle) in France
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
classedverbUS /klæst/
past form of “class” — arrange or order by classes or categories
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
determine the number or amount of
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
dilapidatedadjectiveUS /dəˈlæpədeɪtɪd/
in deplorable condition
From this reading Within and without were harmoniously dilapidated, and a large portion of the interior was uninhabitable.
DowagernounUS /ˈdaʊədʒər/
a widow holding property received from her deceased husband
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
dwellingsnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋz/
plural of “dwelling” — housing that someone is living in
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
edificenounUS /ˈedəfəs/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
divisible by two
From this reading The limited resources of the count precluded even an apologetic semblance of repairs.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
Gramont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
grandeurnounUS /ɡrænˈduːr/
the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
harmoniouslyadverbUS /hɑːrˈmoʊniəsli/
in a harmonious manner
From this reading Within and without were harmoniously dilapidated, and a large portion of the interior was uninhabitable.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
imposingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading Within and without were harmoniously dilapidated, and a large portion of the interior was uninhabitable.
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/
inadequate in amount or degree
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Within and without were harmoniously dilapidated, and a large portion of the interior was uninhabitable.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading The limited resources of the count precluded even an apologetic semblance of repairs.
localitynounUS /loʊˈkæləti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
NOBLESSEnounUS /noʊˈbles/
the state of being of noble birth
From this reading NOBLESSE.
not one, and not any
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
and nothing more
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
ponderousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərəs/
slow and laborious because of weight
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Within and without were harmoniously dilapidated, and a large portion of the interior was uninhabitable.
precludedverbUS /prɪˈkluːdɪd/
past form of “preclude” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading The limited resources of the count precluded even an apologetic semblance of repairs.
quaintnessnoun
the quality of being quaint and old-fashioned
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
repairsnounUS /rɪˈperz/
plural of “repair” — the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading The limited resources of the count precluded even an apologetic semblance of repairs.
resourcesnounUS /ˈriːsɔːrsɪz/
plural of “resource” — available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading The limited resources of the count precluded even an apologetic semblance of repairs.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
semblancenounUS /ˈsembləns/
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
From this reading The limited resources of the count precluded even an apologetic semblance of repairs.
a male human offspring
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
not in physical motion
From this reading The edifice could still boast of imposing grandeur, especially if classed among "fine ruins."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
TristannounUS /ˈtrɪstæn/
(Middle Ages) the nephew of the king of Cornwall who (according to legend) fell in love with his uncle's bride (Iseult) after they mistakenly drank a love potion that left them eternally in love with each other
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
uninhabitableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈhæbətəbəl/
not fit for habitation
From this reading Within and without were harmoniously dilapidated, and a large portion of the interior was uninhabitable.
under normal conditions
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Within and without were harmoniously dilapidated, and a large portion of the interior was uninhabitable.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were seated in the drawing-room of an ancient chateau in Brittany,--the Countess Dowager de Gramont and Count Tristan, her only son,--a mansion lacking none of the ponderous quaintness that usually characterizes ancestral dwellings in that locality.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within and without were harmoniously dilapidated, and a large portion of the interior was uninhabitable.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Within and without were harmoniously dilapidated, and a large portion of the interior was uninhabitable.
