used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
adjustingverbUS /əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjust” — alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
how long something has existed
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
announcingverbUS /əˈnaʊnsɪŋ/
-ing form of “announce” — make known; make an announcement
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
arrangingnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒɪŋ/
the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
being joined in close association
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
bedroomsnounUS /ˈbedruːmz/
plural of “bedroom” — a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The house was large and old fashioned, with long passages and broad staircases.
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/
touched lightly in passing; grazed against
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
ConsulnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəl/
a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
a social unit living together
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/
planned and made or fashioned artistically
From this reading The house was large and old fashioned, with long passages and broad staircases.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
GabrielnounUS /ˈɡeɪbriəl/
(Bible) the archangel who was the messenger of God
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
usually; as a rule
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The house was large and old fashioned, with long passages and broad staircases.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
key-drawer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
labelverbUS /ˈleɪbəl/
assign a label to; designate with a label
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The house was large and old fashioned, with long passages and broad staircases.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The house was large and old fashioned, with long passages and broad staircases.
neckclothnoun
an ornamental white cravat
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The house was large and old fashioned, with long passages and broad staircases.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The house was large and old fashioned, with long passages and broad staircases.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
sitting-rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
staircasesnounUS /ˈsterkeɪsɪz/
plural of “staircase” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading The house was large and old fashioned, with long passages and broad staircases.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He then brushed his coat, and, after adjusting his chin in his neckcloth and arranging his scanty locks, left the office.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
in the direction of
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading On the southern side, and overlooking the garden, were the bedrooms of the family, and the apartments which were generally used as sitting-rooms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
at the time that
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading In the western wing were the offices, having a separate entrance on the side towards the sea.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading When Gabriel had shut the door after announcing his uncle's arrival, the Consul got up and went off to the key-drawer, from whence he took a gigantic key, to which was attached a wooden label black with age.
