used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
crackledverbUS /ˈkrækəld/
past form of “crackle” — make a crackling sound
From this reading The fire purred and crackled softly; there was no other sound.
daintilyadverbUS /ˈdeɪntəliː/
in a dainty and fastidious manner
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
driftwoodnounUS /ˈdrɪftwʊd/
wood that is floating or that has been washed ashore
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
fendernounUS /ˈfendər/
a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
gloomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
coins made of gold
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
hand-screen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
injureverbUS /ˈɪndʒər/
cause injuries or bodily harm to
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
lacquernounUS /ˈlækər/
a black resinous substance obtained from certain trees and used as a natural varnish
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
lightenedverbUS /ˈlaɪtənd/
past form of “lighten” — make more cheerful
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
held dear
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
not any; not one
From this reading The fire purred and crackled softly; there was no other sound.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The fire purred and crackled softly; there was no other sound.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
purred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire purred and crackled softly; there was no other sound.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
satinnounUS /ˈsætən/
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
shieldedadjectiveUS /ˈʃiːldɪd/
(used especially of machinery) protected by a shield to prevent injury
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
with low volume
From this reading The fire purred and crackled softly; there was no other sound.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The fire purred and crackled softly; there was no other sound.
statuettenounUS /ˌstætʃuːˈet/
a small carved or molded figure
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
supper-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
a special situation
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
arousing affect
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/
having tucked or being tucked
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
unlikelyadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪkli/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mrs. Tree was sitting in the twilight, as she loved to do, her little feet on the fender, her satin skirt tucked up daintily, a Chinese hand-screen in her hand.
VenetiannounUS /vəˈniːʃən/
a resident of Venice
From this reading The parlor gloomed and lightened around her, the shifting light touching here a bit of gold lacquer, there a Venetian mirror or an ivory statuette.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OLD FRIENDS It was drawing on toward supper-time, of a chill October day.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
wrinklesnounUS /ˈrɪŋkəlz/
plural of “wrinkle” — a slight depression or fold in the smoothness of a surface
From this reading It seemed unlikely that the moderate heat of the driftwood fire would injure her complexion, which consisted chiefly of wrinkles, as has been said; but she always had shielded her face from the fire, and she always would--it was the proper thing to do.
