adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
alludingverbUS /əˈluːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “allude” — make a more or less disguised reference to
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
antiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
chairsnounUS /tʃerz/
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
chestnounUS /tʃest/
the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
closelyadverbUS /ˈkloʊsli/
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
deepadjectiveUS /diːp/
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
discoursesnounUS /dɪˈskɔːrsɪz/
plural of “discourse” — extended verbal expression in speech or writing
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
easternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
editverbUS /ˈedət/
prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
entrynounUS /ˈentri/
an item inserted in a written record
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
garretnounUS /ˈɡerɪt/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
ghostnounUS /ɡoʊst/
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
gownnounUS /ɡaʊn/
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
heaveverbUS /hiːv/
utter a sound, as with obvious effort
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
Hillard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
HousesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
improbablyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈprɑːbəbli/
not easy to believe
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
invariablyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbli/
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
midstnounUS /mɪdst/
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
minister'snounUS /ˈmɪnɪstərz/
possessive form of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
moonshinenounUS /ˈmuːnʃaɪn/
the light of the Moon
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Still there was nothing visible.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
OnceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
particularadjectiveUS /pərˈtɪkjələr/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
publishverbUS /ˈpʌblɪʃ/
put into print
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
rustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
seemsverbUS /siːmz/
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
sermonnounUS /ˈsɜːrmən/
an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
sighsnounUS /saɪz/
plural of “sigh” — an utterance made by exhaling audibly
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
silknounUS /sɪlk/
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
spitenounUS /spaɪt/
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
StilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Still there was nothing visible.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
turningnounUS /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Still there was nothing visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Once, while Hillard and other friends sat talking with us in the twilight, there came a rustling noise as of a minister’s silk gown, sweeping through the very midst of the company, so closely as almost to brush against the chairs.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
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 Our ghost used to heave deep sighs in a particular corner of the parlor, and sometimes rustled paper, as if he were turning over a sermon in the long upper entry,—where nevertheless he was invisible, in spite of the bright moonshine that fell through the eastern window.
wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Not improbably he wished me to edit and publish a selection from a chest full of manuscript discourses that stood in the garret.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
worthnounUS /wɜːrθ/
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to.
