Chapter II · Desiré’s Inspirations

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

an early French settler in the Maritimes

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

later than; following

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

completely unclothed

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

next to; at the side of

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

woven by (or as if by) braiding

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

leather from the hide of a deer

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

apart from; not including

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

having a high back

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

past form of “hinge” — attach with a hinge

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

a cage (usually made of wood and wire mesh) for small animals

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

a small worthless amount

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

plural of “kindergarten” — a preschool for children age 4 to 6 to prepare them for primary school

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

plural of “mat” — a thick flat pad used as a floor covering

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

not any; not one

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

coated with paint

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

past form of “predominate” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

strange in an interesting or pleasing way

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

-ing form of “reverse” — change to the contrary

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

creating thread

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

plural of “strip” — a relatively long narrow piece of something

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

the upper part of anything

From this reading In the center of the room stood a hutch table, one that can be changed to a chest by reversing its hinged top.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.

change directions as if revolving on a pivot

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It was a quaint old room in which they settled down after supper had been eaten and the children put to bed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A spinning wheel stood beside the fireplace, before which sat Jack and Desiré, with no other light except that of the dancing flames.

work made of wood; especially moldings or stairways or furniture

From this reading The woodwork was painted a deep blue, known as Acadian blue, and the floor was bare except for a couple of oval braided rugs in which the same color predominated.

made or constructed by interlacing threads or strips of material or other elements into a whole

From this reading Around it were half a dozen high-backed chairs, their seats made of strips of deerskin woven in and out like the paper mats made in kindergartens.