adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
absently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
alteringnounUS /ˈɔːltərɪŋ/
the sterilization of an animal
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
associatedverbUS /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/
past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
atmospherenounUS /ˈætməsfɪr/
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
bellnounUS /bel/
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
burnedadjectiveUS /bɜːrnd/
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
coinsnounUS /kɔɪnz/
plural of “coin” — a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
conventionallyadverbUS /kənˈvenʃənəli/
in a conventional manner
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
darkeningadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
drearily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
enervating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
fastadverbUS /fæst/
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
feeblyadverbUS /ˈfiːbli/
in a faint and feeble manner
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
gardensnounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənz/
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
incessantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsesəntli/
with unflagging resolve
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
lodgingnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋ/
structures collectively in which people are housed
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
looseadjectiveUS /luːs/
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
MagdalennounUS /ˈmæɡdələn/
a reformed prostitute
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
mistverbUS /mɪst/
become covered with mist
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
muffin-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
held or filled or in use
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
oppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
piecesnounUS /ˈpiːsəz/
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
positionsnounUS /pəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
puzzleverbUS /ˈpʌzəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
sappingverbUS /ˈsæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “sap” — deplete
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
seasonnounUS /ˈsiːzən/
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/
past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
signsnounUS /saɪnz/
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
SittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
sluggishlyadverbUS /ˈslʌɡɪʃli/
in a sluggish manner
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
smoothadjectiveUS /smuːð/
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
soakingnounUS /ˈsoʊkɪŋ/
the process of becoming softened and saturated as a consequence of being immersed in water (or other liquid)
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
suburbanadjectiveUS /səˈbɜːrbən/
relating to or characteristic of or situated in suburbs
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
tinkledverbUS /ˈtɪŋkəld/
past form of “tinkle” — make or emit a high sound
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
TowardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
tryingadjectiveUS /ˈtraɪɪŋ/
hard to endure
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
unnaturallyadverbUS /ənˈnætʃərəli/
in an unnatural way
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
viewnounUS /vjuː/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
weathernounUS /ˈweðər/
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sitting close over the fire, with a little money lying loose in her lap, Magdalen absently shifted the coins to and fro on the smooth surface of her dress, incessantly altering their positions toward each other, as if they were pieces of a “child’s puzzle” which she was trying to put together.
wetadjectiveUS /wet/
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The fire burned sluggishly in the narrow little grate; the view of the wet houses and soaking gardens opposite was darkening fast; and the bell of the suburban muffin-boy tinkled in the distance drearily.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Toward the close of the December afternoon, Magdalen sat alone in the lodging which she had occupied since her arrival in London.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The atmosphere was unnaturally warm, and the old year was dying feebly in sapping rain and enervating mist.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading It wanted little more than a fortnight to Christmas; but the weather showed no signs yet of the frost and snow, conventionally associated with the coming season.
