used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just as the children entered, the door was opened and Uncle Peter himself came in.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
blotting-paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the table were some sheets of foolscap paper, a bottle of ink, pen, blotting-paper, &c.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading SOLDIERS OF THE TRUE BLUE.
a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading On the table were some sheets of foolscap paper, a bottle of ink, pen, blotting-paper, &c.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading On the table were some sheets of foolscap paper, a bottle of ink, pen, blotting-paper, &c.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Just as the children entered, the door was opened and Uncle Peter himself came in.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Just as the children entered, the door was opened and Uncle Peter himself came in.
daintilyadverbUS /ˈdeɪntəliː/
in a dainty and fastidious manner
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
characterized by great determination
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Just as the children entered, the door was opened and Uncle Peter himself came in.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Just as the children entered, the door was opened and Uncle Peter himself came in.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
foolscapnoun
a size of paper used especially in Britain
From this reading On the table were some sheets of foolscap paper, a bottle of ink, pen, blotting-paper, &c.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
usually; as a rule
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
death of a person
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Just as the children entered, the door was opened and Uncle Peter himself came in.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Just as the children entered, the door was opened and Uncle Peter himself came in.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading On the table were some sheets of foolscap paper, a bottle of ink, pen, blotting-paper, &c.
and nothing more
From this reading Just as the children entered, the door was opened and Uncle Peter himself came in.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
mantelpiecenoun
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SOLDIERS OF THE TRUE BLUE.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Just as the children entered, the door was opened and Uncle Peter himself came in.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading On the table were some sheets of foolscap paper, a bottle of ink, pen, blotting-paper, &c.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading On the table were some sheets of foolscap paper, a bottle of ink, pen, blotting-paper, &c.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
schoolroomnounUS /ˈskuːlruːm/
a room in a school where lessons take place
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading On the table were some sheets of foolscap paper, a bottle of ink, pen, blotting-paper, &c.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading SOLDIERS OF THE TRUE BLUE.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading On the table were some sheets of foolscap paper, a bottle of ink, pen, blotting-paper, &c.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOLDIERS OF THE TRUE BLUE.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading SOLDIERS OF THE TRUE BLUE.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
precisely as stated
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The schoolroom was very daintily arranged; there were flowers on the mantelpiece and on a little table, near which an arm-chair had been placed for Uncle Peter.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading He generally wore a smiling face, but now he looked grave and determined.
