used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
adamantineadjective
consisting of or having the hardness of adamant
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
additionaladjectiveUS /əˈdɪʃənəl/
further or added
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
(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 It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
bed-chambers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
BrignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
Canlemas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
climaxnounUS /ˈklaɪmæks/
the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
concernsnounUS /kənˈsɜːrnz/
plural of “concern” — something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
copestonenoun
a final touch; a crowning achievement; a culmination
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
a lawyer who pleads cases in court
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
DuncannounUS /ˈdʌŋkən/
United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
eliding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
frae
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
grumbleverbUS /ˈɡrʌmbəl/
show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
of the present time and place
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
inspiredadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪərd/
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
involuntaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/
not subject to the control of the will
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
set afire or burning
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
meltingnounUS /ˈmeltɪŋ/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
metaphysicians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
and nothing more
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
OrannounUS /ɔːˈrɑːn/
a port city in northwestern Algeria and the country's 2nd largest city
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
RossnounUS /rɑːs/
Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
specifyverbUS /ˈspesəfaɪ/
specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
up to a particular time
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
unwontedadjective
unaccustomed or unusual
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It might be that all the court that had been paid to her of late had softened the adamantine heart: it only concerns us to know that softened it was.
precisely as stated
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
wainscotted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the wainscotted parlor was made radiant--a fire in its grate "enough," as Duncan said with an involuntary grumble, "to keep the decent folk at the Brig of Oran in eliding frae this till Canlemas"--and additional candles upon its table.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mrs. Ross was inspired--how or by what means we are not sufficiently good metaphysicians to be able to specify--but inspired she was!
in the company of; together with
From this reading She took immediate counsel with May; she had fires lighted in half a dozen bed-chambers.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Then Mrs. Ross did something more wonderful than all this--the very climax and copestone of her unwonted melting of heart.
