used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
absurdlyadverbUS /əbˈsɜːrdli/
in an absurd manner or to an absurd degree
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
acknowledgedadjectiveUS /ækˈnɑːlɪdʒd/
recognized or made known or admitted
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
appurtenances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
arguedverbUS /ˈɑːrɡjuːd/
past form of “argue” — present reasons and arguments
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
bibelots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
Bloomsburynoun
a city district of central London laid out in garden squares
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
chinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
dreadfullyadverbUS /ˈdredfəli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
DresdennounUS /ˈdrezdɪn/
a city in southeastern Germany on the Elbe River; it was almost totally destroyed by British air raids in 1945
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
set up or found
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
glorifiedadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɔːrəfaɪd/
accorded sacrosanct or authoritative standing
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
incongruousadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋˈkɔːŋruːəs/
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/
temporary living quarters
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
Madonna-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
marketableadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrkətəbəl/
being in demand by especially employers
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
in motion
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
and nothing more
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
queenlyadjective
having the rank of or resembling or befitting a queen
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
on the contrary
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
cut with a saw
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
settlingnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/
a gradual sinking to a lower level
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
small-paned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
Tanagra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
terra-cotta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
male cat
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
Tom'snounUS /tɑːmz/
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/
not necessary
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But when May came, as she did a few days later, Tom found that the effect was that the rooms were glorified.
at the time that
From this reading It must be acknowledged that Tom’s heart had sunk a little when he saw the flat in Bloomsbury.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was characteristic of him that before settling into his new narrow house he made a clean sweep of everything which was unnecessary and marketable.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The thought of May, with her queenly Madonna-like beauty, moving through the low rooms or sitting by the small-paned window seemed dreadfully incongruous.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He argued that they had better start with a little capital rather than a few bibelots, and that a couple of pieces of Dresden china or a valuable terra-cotta from Tanagra would only look absurdly out of place among the appurtenances of cheap lodgings.
