used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
allayverbUS /əˈleɪ/
lessen the intensity of or calm
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was but a momentary one, however.
make calm or still
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
coverletnoun
a decorative bedspread (usually quilted)
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
emaciatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈmeɪʃieɪtɪd/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
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 minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was but a momentary one, however.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was but a momentary one, however.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading It was but a momentary one, however.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was but a momentary one, however.
parchmentnounUS /ˈpɑːrtʃ.mənt/
A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, used for writing.
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
scentedadjectiveUS /ˈsentɪd/
having the sense of smell
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
violetsnounUS /ˈvaɪələts/
plural of “violet” — any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few minutes later Roger was shown into his father's room.
a Caucasian
From this reading His first sight of the old man, lying flat on his back, his emaciated arms limp on the smooth white coverlet, his face drawn and the colour of old parchment, gave him a distinct shock.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The room, filled with sunlight, was calm and cheerful, the fresh fragrance of violets scented the air, the whole atmosphere tended to allay his fears.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young nurse he had seen in the hall came forward as he entered, greeting him with a frank smile.
