used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The windows are diamond-paned.
ARMOURnounUS /ˈɑːrmər/
a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
a state at a particular time
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
CRONEnounUS /kroʊn/
an ugly evil-looking old woman
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
curtseys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
designernounUS /dɪˈzaɪnər/
a person who specializes in interior design
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
DEVELOPMENTnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
diamond-paned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The windows are diamond-paned.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
FRESCOnounUS /ˈfreskoʊ/
a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
houndsnounUS /haʊndz/
plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
HOUSEKEEPERnounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
a message received and understood
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
INQUIRYnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
engage in
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
MEDITATIONSnounUS /ˌmedɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “meditation” — continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
MICEnounUS /maɪs/
plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
MILBURD'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
mildewy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
oldenadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldən/
relating to time long past
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
ORIELnoun
a projecting bay window corbeled or cantilevered out from a wall
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
oxennounUS /ˈɑːksən/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
RATSnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
remindsverbUS /riˈmaɪndz/
third-person singular of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
retainersnounUS /rɪˈteɪnərz/
plural of “retainer” — a fee charged in advance to retain the services of someone
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
revelsnounUS /ˈrevəlz/
plural of “revel” — unrestrained merrymaking
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
roastedadjectiveUS /ˈroʊstəd/
(meat) cooked by dry heat in an oven
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
TAPESTRYnounUS /ˈtæpəstri/
something that resembles a tapestry in its intricacy
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
tilesnounUS /taɪlz/
plural of “tile” — a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
TYPICALadjectiveUS /ˈtɪpəkəl/
exhibiting the qualities or characteristics that identify a group or kind or category
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
ushersnounUS /ˈʌʃərz/
plural of “usher” — Irish prelate who deduced from the Bible that Creation occurred in the year 4004 BC (1581-1656)
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The floor is partly stone partly tiles, as if the original designer had been, in his day, uncertain whether to make a roof of it, or not.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A fine old chimney, with a hearth for logs, and dogs, is at one end, and reminds me of retainers, deer hounds, oxen roasted whole, and Christmas revels in the olden time.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading WITHIN--THE HOUSEKEEPER--WINDOWS--INFORMATION--THE ORIEL--VIEW-- FLOOR--MILBURD'S INQUIRY--TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT--MATERIAL--AN EXAMPLE --CRONE--POOR--MEDITATIONS--THE FRESCO--TAPESTRY--ARMOUR--MICE--RATS --THE GHOST.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading An old woman curtseys, and ushers our party into the Hall itself, which is lofty and spacious, but in a mildewy condition.
