Chapter I

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

plural of “cork” — outer bark of the cork oak; used for stoppers for bottles etc.

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

a room used for dining

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

exceedingly bad

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

plural of “knife” — edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

hear with intention

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

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 TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

a thick flat pad used as a floor covering

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

no person; not anyone

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

the rate of moving (especially walking or running)

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

plural of “peg” — a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

a sharp explosive sound as from a gunshot or drawing a cork

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

go at a rack

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

reflecting optimism

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

a harsh noise made by scraping

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

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 The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

plural of “tick” — a metallic tapping sound

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The kitchen ticks too loud at night, It is a horrid place; Black-beetles run about the floor At a most dreadful pace.

-ing form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

precisely as stated

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

at the time that

From this reading The dining-room has rosy walls, And silver knives and forks, And when I listen at the door, I hear the popping corks.

in or at the place that

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

a Caucasian

From this reading TAVISTOCK STREET COVENT GARDEN LONDON ETHEL LONG OUR house is very high and red, The steps are very white, The balcony is full of flowers, The knocker's very bright.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The cellar is quite black with coal, The cat goes scratching there; People go tramping past above, But nobody knows where.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading The hall has got a coloured lamp, A rack for father's hat, And pegs for coats: a curious word[A] Is printed on the mat.