Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

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

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

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

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

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

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

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

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

a brightly printed and glazed cotton fabric

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

without stop or interruption

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

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

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

drawn off in the form of vapor

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

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

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

plural of “frame” — the framework for a pair of eyeglasses

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

involving or characterized by harmony

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

grass mowed and cured for use as fodder

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

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

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

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

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

linked or locked closely together as by dovetailing

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

as from an altitude or distance

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

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

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

someone who journeys in foreign lands

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

plural of “proof” — any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

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

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

possessing material wealth

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

comparative of “rich” — possessing material wealth

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

precisely, exactly

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

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

From this reading Small pictures in light frames harmonized with a green paper of long interlacing leaves.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

past form of “stamp” — walk heavily

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

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

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

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

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

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

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

the provincial capital of Veneto; built on 118 islands within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice; has canals instead of streets; one of Italy's major ports and a famous tourist attraction

From this reading On the right, the grand piano and the slender brass lamps; and the impression of refinement and taste was continued, for between the blue chintz curtains the river lay soft as a picture of old Venice.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

plural of “warehouse” — a storehouse for goods and merchandise

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

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

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

plural of “wharf” — a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The beauty of the water, full of the shadows of hay and sails, many forms of chimneys, wharfs, and warehouses, made panoramic and picturesque by the motion of the great hay-boats, were surely wanted for the windows of this beautiful apartment.

plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading An odour of spirits evaporated in the warm winds of May which came through the open window.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The rich velvet sofa of early English design was littered with proofs and copies of the _Pilgrim_, and the stamped velvet was two shades richer in tone than the pale dead-red of the floorcloth.