used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
a quantity of money
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
basketwork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
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 basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
capenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
delicatelyadverbUS /ˈdeləkətli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
elegantlyadverbUS /ˈelɪɡəntliː/
with elegance; in a tastefully elegant manner
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
erminenounUS /ˈɜːrmən/
the expensive white fur of the ermine
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
financesnounUS /fɪˈnænsɪz/
assets in the form of money
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
fragileadjectiveUS /ˈfrædʒəl/
easily broken or damaged or destroyed
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
furnacenounUS /ˈfɜːrnəs/
an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
gildedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪldɪd/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
guidancenounUS /ˈɡaɪdəns/
something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
harnessedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrnəst/
brought under control and put to use
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
Jim's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
Leah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
meadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/
a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
meltingnounUS /ˈmeltɪŋ/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
minknounUS /mɪŋk/
the expensive fur of a mink
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
not any; not one
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
opossumnounUS /oʊˈpɑːsəm/
small furry Australian arboreal marsupials having long usually prehensile tails
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
owedverbUS /oʊd/
past form of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
coated with paint
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
paucitynounUS /ˈpɔːsətiː/
an insufficient quantity or number
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
PompadournounUS /ˈpɑːmpədɔːr/
French noblewoman who was the lover of Louis XV, whose policies she influenced (1721-1764)
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
on the contrary
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
riotingnounUS /ˈraɪətɪŋ/
a state of disorder involving group violence
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
runnersnounUS /ˈrʌnərz/
plural of “runner” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
scarfnounUS /skɑːrf/
a garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
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 These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
skilfuladjective
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
sledgeverbUS /sledʒ/
transport in a sleigh
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
snowyadjectiveUS /ˈsnoʊi/
marked by the presence of snow
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
snuglyadverbUS /ˈsnʌɡli/
fitting closely
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
spiritedadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtɪd/
displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
the season of growth
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
swanverbUS /swɑːn/
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
very small
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
trappingsnounUS /ˈtræpɪŋz/
(usually plural) accessory wearing apparel
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The basketwork body of a swan, gilded and painted and elegantly fragile, rested delicately on slim steel runners, and glided over the frozen snow in the rear of two spirited black ponies.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
VersaillesnounUS /verˈsaɪ/
a city in north central France near Paris; site of the Palace of Versailles that was built by Louis XIV in the 17th century
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
vulgarlyadverb
in a smutty manner
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
well-matched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
at the time that
From this reading The sledge occupied by this well-matched couple might have been used by Pompadour, in the days when the finances of France were melting in the furnace of Versailles.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
in the company of; together with
From this reading These, harnessed in the Russian fashion, with a paucity of trappings and many tiny silver bells, sprang forward, under Lady Jim's skilful guidance, as though they were rioting in a spring meadow.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Her mink cloak, with the snowy ermine scarf drawn through the shoulder cape in the latest fashion, had cost nearly ten times the amount, and Leah wore it with the proud consciousness that she owed no money for it.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading She and her companion were snugly wrapped in an opossum rug, which Leah, rather vulgarly, despised as a cheap article.
