Chapter I

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

a line of approach

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

plural of “bedroom” — a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

made or joined or united into one

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

originate

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

set up or found

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

study of the earth's surface; includes people's responses to topography and climate and soil and vegetation

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

a unit of instruction

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading WHERE MARK LIVED.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading WHERE MARK LIVED.

possessive form of “mark” — a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

possessive form of “mason” — American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

make square

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

plural of “suite” — a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

a run-down apartment house barely meeting minimal standards

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was in an apartment of this kind on the third floor back, that Mark Mason's mother and little sister Edith lived.

at the time that

From this reading Mrs. Mason was setting the table for supper and Edith was studying a lesson in geography when the door opened and Mark entered.

in or at the place that

From this reading WHERE MARK LIVED.

something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation

From this reading It was a humble home, and plainly furnished, but a few books and pictures saved from the wreck of their former prosperity, gave the rooms an air of refinement not to be found in those of their neighbors.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading THERE is a large tenement house on St. Mark's Place, between Third Avenue and Avenue A. The suites of rooms consist, as is the general New York custom in tenement houses, of one square apartment used as kitchen, sitting room and parlor combined, and two small bedrooms opening out of it.