used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
baker'snounUS /ˈbeɪkərz/
possessive form of “baker” — someone who bakes commercially
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
earthenwarenounUS /ˈɜːrθənwer/
ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
enclosurenounUS /enˈkloʊʒər/
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
flockingverbUS /ˈflɑːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “flock” — move as a crowd or in a group
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
gravelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
hungry-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading And indeed the promise was a very palpable one.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
MonanounUS /ˈmoʊnə/
an island to the northwest of Wales
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And indeed the promise was a very palpable one.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
palpableadjectiveUS /ˈpælpəbəl/
capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt
From this reading And indeed the promise was a very palpable one.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
pewternounUS /ˈpjuːtər/
any of various alloys of tin with small amounts of other metals (especially lead)
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
railingnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
saucernounUS /ˈsɔːsər/
something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
only a very short time before
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
spoonnounUS /spuːn/
a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
STRADIVARIUSnounUS /ˌstrædɪˈveriəs/
Italian violin maker who developed the modern violin and created violins of unequaled tonal quality (1644?-1737)
From this reading STRADIVARIUS.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
precisely as stated
From this reading And indeed the promise was a very palpable one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And indeed the promise was a very palpable one.
well-filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The chapel doors were open, and a bright light streamed across the gravelled enclosure on to the dreary street beyond.
at the time that
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mona had scarcely entered the outer door when she was presented with a large earthenware cup and saucer, a pewter spoon, and a well-filled baker's bag.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading People were flocking in, talking and laughing, in eager anticipation of pleasures to come; and a number of hungry-eyed children clung to the railing, and gazed at the promise of good things within.
