used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
accidentallyadverbUS /ˌæksəˈdentəli/
without advance planning
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
(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 Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
banisternounUS /ˈbænɪstər/
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
Carwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
chinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
coilnounUS /kɔɪl/
a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
droopverbUS /druːp/
droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
FloranounUS /ˈflɔːrə/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
the act of departing
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE JUDGE LEAVES HIS HOUSE.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE JUDGE LEAVES HIS HOUSE.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading THE JUDGE LEAVES HIS HOUSE.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
leantverbUS /ˈliːənt/
inflected form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading THE JUDGE LEAVES HIS HOUSE.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
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 Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
not divisible by two
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
odd-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
possetnoun
sweet spiced hot milk curdled with ale or beer
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
a strong line
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
cut with a saw
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
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 Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE JUDGE LEAVES HIS HOUSE.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
thumbnounUS /θʌm/
the thick short innermost digit of the forelimb
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nose, lips, and chin seemed all to droop downward into extraordinary length, as he leant his odd peering face over the banister.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
well-staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the top of the well-staircase there runs a massive oak rail; and, raising her eyes accidentally, she saw an extremely odd-looking stranger, slim and long, leaning carelessly over with a pipe between his finger and thumb.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In his other hand he held a coil of rope, one end of which escaped from under his elbow and hung over the rail.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Flora Carwell was going up the great staircase with a posset for the Judge in a china bowl, on a little silver tray.
