used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
(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 All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
alleynounUS /ˈæli/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
the act of burning something
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
commissionsnounUS /kəˈmɪʃənz/
plural of “commission” — a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
divisible by two
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
start firing a weapon
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
fireplacesnounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪsəz/
plural of “fireplace” — an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
furnacenounUS /ˈfɜːrnəs/
an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
the act of departing
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
habitableadjectiveUS /ˈhæbətəbəl/
fit for habitation
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
Hester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
Hester's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
immediately past
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
go away from a place
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
Michael'snounUS /ˈmaɪkəlz/
possessive form of “michael” — (Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
needfuladjectiveUS /ˈniːdfəl/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
oilingverbUS /ˈɔɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “oil” — cover with oil, as if by rubbing
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
paperingnounUS /ˈpeɪpərɪŋ/
the application of wallpaper
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
plasterverbUS /ˈplæstər/
apply a heavy coat to
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
purchasenounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/
the acquisition of something for payment
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
purchasingnounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəsɪŋ/
the act of buying
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
quarantinenounUS /ˈkwɔːrəntiːn/
enforced isolation of patients suffering from a contagious disease in order to prevent the spread of disease
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
releaseverbUS /riˈliːs/
release, as from one's grip
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
reportedadjectiveUS /ˌriːˈpɔːrtɪd/
made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
in the near future
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
sorelyadverbUS /ˈsɔːrli/
to a great degree
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
StarrnounUS /stɑːr/
rock star and drummer for the Beatles (born in 1940)
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
successive (without a break)
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
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 Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Sam had reported daily progress with the house and about two weeks before Michael’s release from quarantine announced that everything was done, even to the papering of the walls and oiling of the floors.
(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 All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A fire had been burning in the furnace and fireplaces for several weeks, so the plaster was thoroughly dry, and it was Michael’s plan that Starr and her father were to go straight down to the farm as soon as they were free to leave the house.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
which person or people
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading During the entire winter Michael had pleased himself in purchasing rugs here and there, and charming, fitting, furniture for the house he was building.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All this while Michael had been in daily communication with Sam, as well as with Will French, who with Hester’s help had kept the rooms in the alley going, though they reported that the head had been sorely missed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To this end Hester and Will had been given daily commissions to purchase this and that needful article of furniture, until now at last Michael felt that the house would be habitable for Starr and her precious invalid.
