used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
accomplishmentnounUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
amateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
appallingnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
an experience that appalls
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nevertheless, both the school-room windows are open.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Nevertheless, both the school-room windows are open.
broiledadjectiveUS /brɔɪld/
cooked by radiant heat (as over a grill)
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
colderadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊldər/
comparative of “cold” — having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
divisible by two
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
fillsnounUS /fɪlz/
plural of “fill” — a quantity sufficient to satisfy
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
friedadjectiveUS /fraɪd/
cooked by frying in fat
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
a particular point in time
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, both the school-room windows are open.
not any; not one
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Nevertheless, both the school-room windows are open.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
penaltiesnounUS /ˈpenəltiz/
plural of “penalty” — the act of punishing
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
school-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, both the school-room windows are open.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
sun'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “sun” — the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
swing-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
talksnounUS /tɔːks/
a discussion intended to produce an agreement
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The fact is, that amateur cooking, though a graceful accomplishment, has its penalties, and that at the present moment the smell of broiled bones and fried potatoes that fills our place of learning is something appalling.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why may not it penetrate beneath the swing-door, through the passages, and reach the drawing-room?
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Nevertheless, both the school-room windows are open.
withdrawnadjectiveUS /wɪθˈdrɔːn/
withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
witheringadjectiveUS /ˈwɪðərɪŋ/
wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction
From this reading The wind is even colder than it was, stronger and more withering now that the sun's faint warmth is withdrawn, and that the small and chilly stars possess the sky.
but in spite of that
From this reading We are all huddled shivering round the hearth, yet no one talks of closing them.
