Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

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

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

at or in or to any place

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

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

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

plural of “broom” — a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

plural of “brush” — a dense growth of bushes

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

past form of “clean” — make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

the vessel that contains the seeds of a plant (not the seeds themselves)

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

a natural object that covers or envelops

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

delicately beautiful

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

a room used for dining

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

put on clothes

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

remove the dust from

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

-ing form of “dust” — remove the dust from

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

Swedish oceanographer who recognized the role of the Coriolis effect on ocean currents (1874-1954)

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

moving swiftly

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

set up or found

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

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

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

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

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

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

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

a social unit living together

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

a wife who manages a household while her husband earns the family income

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

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

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

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

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

plural of “joy” — the emotion of great happiness

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Thailand and Burmese borderlands

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

set afire or burning

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

water chestnut whose spiny fruit has two rather than 4 prongs

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

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

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

plural of “maid” — a female domestic

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

and nothing more

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

any of various soft thick unsweetened baked dishes

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

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

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

any of various large food and game fishes of northern waters; usually migrate from salt to fresh water to spawn

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

made clean by scrubbing

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

a very small spot

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

a simple seat without a back or arms

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

a Scandinavian kingdom in the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

of or relating to or characteristic of Sweden or its people or culture or language

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

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

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

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

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

one of the digits of the foot

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

third-person singular of “understand” — know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

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

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading In fact, it had been a busy week in every household in Sweden, for before the tree is lighted on Christmas Eve every room must be cleaned and scrubbed and polished, so that not a speck of dirt or dust may be found anywhere.

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

From this reading The maids were flying from room to room with brooms and brushes; and in the kitchen Fru Ekman and the cook were preparing the lut-fisk and making the rice pudding.

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

From this reading The lut-fisk is a kind of smoked fish--salmon, ling, or cod--prepared in a delicious way which only a Swedish housewife understands.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Gerda, with a dainty cap on her hair, and a big apron covering her red dress from top to toe, was dusting the pleasant living-room; and Karen, perched on a high stool at the dining-room table, was polishing the silver.

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

From this reading YULE-TIDE JOYS It was the day before Christmas,--such a busy day in the Ekman household.