used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
(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 It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
the act of burning something
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
Christmas-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
decoratingverbUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “decorate” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
a social unit living together
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
giftsnounUS /ɡɪfts/
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
glowedverbUS /ɡloʊd/
past form of “glow” — emit a steady even light without flames
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
ten 10s
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
Lanier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
Lanier's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
Laniers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
the sound of laughing
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
Maynard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
Moses's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
a form of address for a man
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
sparkledverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəld/
past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
having a supporting base
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
treasuresnounUS /ˈtreʒərz/
plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
which person or people
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating.
