used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
(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 A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
BernardnounUS /bərˈnɑːrd/
French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813-1878)
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
blocksnounUS /blɑːks/
plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
CrescentnounUS /ˈkresənt/
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
DanenounUS /deɪn/
a native or inhabitant of Denmark
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
embowered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
enchantedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtʃæn.tɪd/
Filled with or placed under the influence of magical power or charm.
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
genii
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
depressingly dark
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading HER OATH.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
humverbUS /hʌm/
sing with closed lips
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
involuntarilyadverbUS /ˌɪnvoʊˈlʌntərɪli/
against your will
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
immediately past
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
live-oaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
OATHnounUS /oʊθ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading HER OATH.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
go across or through
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
presidingverbUS /prɪˈzaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “preside” — act as president
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
shadyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdi/
quiet, dark, or concealed
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
not in physical motion
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
a shaky motion
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
up-town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An up-town mansion, embowered in huge live-oaks--a shady, silent place, the sight of which made one feel gloomy, and caused a slight chill to pass involuntarily over the frame.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few blocks away the hum and traffic of the Crescent City filled the air; but here all was still and quiet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In a spacious chamber of a great, gloomy mansion, an old man sat alone, his gray head bowed upon his trembling hands, which rested upon a cane.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The great house looked like an enchanted palace, with old Bernard Dane the presiding genii, all alone and lonely like the last leaf upon the tree.
