used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
austerelyadverbUS /ˌɔːˈstɪrli/
in an austere fashion
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
colonialadjectiveUS /kəˈloʊniəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
crucialadjectiveUS /ˈkruːʃəl/
of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
defiedverbUS /dɪˈfaɪd/
inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
ginghamnounUS /ˈɡɪŋəm/
a clothing fabric in a plaid weave
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
indefinableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbəl/
not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
the force of workers available
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
narroweradjectiveUS /ˈneroʊər/
comparative of “narrow” — not wide
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
by chance
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
prosperitynounUS /prɑːˈsperəti/
an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
secludedadjectiveUS /sɪˈkluːdɪd/
hidden from general view or use
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
sharedadjectiveUS /ʃerd/
have in common; held or experienced in common
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
speculationsnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “speculation” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
make square
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
sunbonnetnoun
a large bonnet that shades the face; worn by girls and women
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
wagesnounUS /ˈweɪdʒəz/
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
(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 In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
WilsonnounUS /ˈwɪlsən/
author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)
From this reading That afternoon, Mrs. Wilson, in her best gingham and checked sunbonnet, took her way along the village street to the old Judge Wilson house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
woolnounUS /wʊl/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading Mrs. Wilson herself lived on a narrower and more secluded street, though it was said that her husband, if he had not defied the old Judge in some crucial matter, might have studied law with him, and possibly shared his speculations in wool.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading In spite of its prosperity, everything about it wore a dreary air, as if it were tired of being too well kept; for houses are like people, and carry their own indefinable atmosphere with them.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Then he, too, might have risen to be one of the first men in the county, instead of working, in his moderate fashion, for little more than day's wages.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading It was a colonial mansion, sitting austerely back in a square yard.
