adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
accumulatedadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːmjəleɪtɪd/
periodically accumulated over time
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
alterverbUS /ˈɔːltər/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
boughtverbUS /bɑːt/
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
buriedadjectiveUS /ˈberid/
placed in a grave
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading DAY BY DAY We rearranged the house.
castverbUS /kæst/
put or send forth
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
clearedadjectiveUS /klɪrd/
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
DAYnounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading DAY BY DAY We rearranged the house.
debilitynounUS /dəˈbɪləti/
the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
depthsnounUS /depθs/
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
fossilizedadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːsəlaɪzd/
set in a rigidly conventional pattern of behavior, habits, or beliefs
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
furniturenounUS /ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər/
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
greatnessnounUS /ˈɡreɪtnəs/
the property possessed by something or someone of outstanding importance or eminence
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading DAY BY DAY We rearranged the house.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
jaundicenounUS /ˈdʒɔːndəs/
yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood; can be a symptom of gallstones or liver infection or anemia
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
knick-knacks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
Mame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
odornounUS /ˈoʊdər/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
photographsnounUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræfs/
plural of “photograph” — a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
rearrangedverbUS /ˌriːərˈeɪndʒd/
past form of “rearrange” — put into a new order or arrangement
From this reading DAY BY DAY We rearranged the house.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
sniffedverbUS /snɪft/
past form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
stuffnounUS /stʌf/
the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DAY BY DAY We rearranged the house.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
tortoiseshellnoun
the mottled horny substance of the shell of some turtles
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
varnishnounUS /ˈvɑːrnɪʃ/
a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface
From this reading I bought some furniture, and as we sniffed the odor of varnish which hung about for a long time in the lower room, we said, "This is the real thing."
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
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 photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading DAY BY DAY We rearranged the house.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The photographs on the walls, which were dying of jaundice and debility, and which no longer stood for anybody, because of the greatness of time, we cleared out of their imitation tortoiseshell and buried in the depths of drawers.
worthlessadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrθləs/
lacking in usefulness or value
From this reading But we cast out all the dusty old stuff, the fossilized and worthless knick-knacks that Mame had accumulated.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading We did not alter the general arrangement, nor the places of the heavy furniture--that would have been too great a change.
