used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
Alma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alma had washed her yellow hair, and had built a fire to dry it by.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
braidedadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪdɪd/
woven by (or as if by) braiding
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Alma had washed her yellow hair, and had built a fire to dry it by.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Alma had washed her yellow hair, and had built a fire to dry it by.
cakenounUS /keɪk/
a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
chocolatenounUS /ˈtʃɔːklət/
a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
contentedlyadverbUS /kənˈtentədli/
with equanimity
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
a small house with a single story
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
countrysidenounUS /ˈkʌntrisaɪd/
rural regions
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
dealingnounUS /ˈdiːlɪŋ/
method or manner of conduct in relation to others
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Alma had washed her yellow hair, and had built a fire to dry it by.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
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 rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
earthenwarenounUS /ˈɜːrθənwer/
ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Alma had washed her yellow hair, and had built a fire to dry it by.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
four-and-twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
generouslyadverbUS /ˈdʒenərəsli/
in a generous manner
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
gurgled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Alma had washed her yellow hair, and had built a fire to dry it by.
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Alma had washed her yellow hair, and had built a fire to dry it by.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
icingnounUS /ˈaɪsɪŋ/
the formation of frost or ice on a surface
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
lamplightnoun
light from a lamp
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
manenounUS /meɪn/
long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
mellowadjectiveUS /ˈmeloʊ/
unhurried and relaxed
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
panesnounUS /peɪnz/
plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
pluperfectnoun
a perfective tense used to express action completed in the past
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
rainyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/
(of weather) wet by periods of rain
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
revelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
rhythmicallyadverbUS /ˈrɪðmɪkli/
in a rhythmic manner
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
scrapingsnounUS /ˈskreɪpɪŋz/
plural of “scraping” — (usually plural) a fragment scraped off of something and collected
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
slippersnounUS /ˈslɪpərz/
plural of “slipper” — low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
spoutverbUS /spaʊt/
gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading Nancy, in her dressing-gown and slippers, with her own brown mane braided into a short, thick club, was icing the chocolate cake, helping herself generously to the scrapings in the earthenware bowl.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading Alma had washed her yellow hair, and had built a fire to dry it by.
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 rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading INSIDE THE COTTAGE It was what Nancy called the pluperfect hour of the day; that is, of a rainy day.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The rain, which had brought with it an early autumn chill, beat rhythmically against the panes, and gurgled contentedly from a water spout, as if it were revelling in the fact that it had had the whole countryside to itself for four-and-twenty hours.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The curtains of the living-room were drawn over the windows, the mellow lamplight dealing kindly with their faded folds.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Alma had washed her yellow hair, and had built a fire to dry it by.
