used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
additionsnounUS /əˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “addition” — a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
adobenounUS /əˈdoʊbi/
the clay from which adobe bricks are made
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
adornmentnounUS /əˈdɔːrnmənt/
a decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve plainness
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
advantagesnounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒɪz/
plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
(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 tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN WHICH THE DONNA MARIA MAKES AN IMPRESSION.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
availing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
contemplateverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/
look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
DONNAnounUS /ˈdɑːnə/
an Italian woman of rank
From this reading IN WHICH THE DONNA MARIA MAKES AN IMPRESSION.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
FishermannounUS /ˈfɪʃərmæn/
someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
foundernounUS /ˈfaʊndər/
inflammation of the laminated tissue that attaches the hoof to the foot of a horse
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading IN WHICH THE DONNA MARIA MAKES AN IMPRESSION.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH THE DONNA MARIA MAKES AN IMPRESSION.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
loungingverbUS /ˈlaʊndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
low-walled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading IN WHICH THE DONNA MARIA MAKES AN IMPRESSION.
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading IN WHICH THE DONNA MARIA MAKES AN IMPRESSION.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
outlinenounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
profitableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːfətəbəl/
yielding material gain or profit
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
Rancho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
seawardadjectiveUS /ˈsiːwərd/
(of winds) coming from the land
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
sitenounUS /saɪt/
the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
make square
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
suggestionsnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading The low-walled square adobe dwelling had been relieved of much of its hard practical outline by several feminine additions and suggestions.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH THE DONNA MARIA MAKES AN IMPRESSION.
tiledadjectiveUS /taɪld/
covered or furnished with tiles
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
From this reading The Rancho of the Blessed Fisherman looked seaward as became its title.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
transferredverbUS /trænˈsfɜːrd/
inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
verandahnoun
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
precisely as stated
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
vine-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tiled roof had been carried over a very broad verandah, supported by vine-clad columns, and the lounging corridor had been, in defiance of all Spanish custom, transferred from the inside of the house to the outside.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH THE DONNA MARIA MAKES AN IMPRESSION.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading If the founder of the rancho had shown a religious taste in the selection of the site of the dwelling, his charming widow had certainly shown equal practical taste, and indeed a profitable availing of some advantages that the founder did not contemplate, in the adornment of the house.
