adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A portrait of Colonel Kent, in uniform, hung above the great mantel.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Motes danced in the beam, and the house somehow seemed less despairing, less alone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
answerverbUS /ˈænsər/
react verbally
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "How was it?" asked Madame, when they reached home.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading Motes danced in the beam, and the house somehow seemed less despairing, less alone.
BeyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/
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 It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
ColonelnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəl/
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading A portrait of Colonel Kent, in uniform, hung above the great mantel.
comprehensionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhenʃən/
an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading Motes danced in the beam, and the house somehow seemed less despairing, less alone.
depthsnounUS /depθs/
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
despairingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsperɪŋ/
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Motes danced in the beam, and the house somehow seemed less despairing, less alone.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
gloomyadjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmi/
depressingly dark
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A portrait of Colonel Kent, in uniform, hung above the great mantel.
grimyadjectiveUS /ˈɡraɪmi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "How was it?" asked Madame, when they reached home.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Motes danced in the beam, and the house somehow seemed less despairing, less alone.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How was it?" asked Madame, when they reached home.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A portrait of Colonel Kent, in uniform, hung above the great mantel.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
KentnounUS /kent/
a county in southeastern England on the English Channel; formerly an Anglo-Saxon kingdom, it was the first to be colonized by the Romans
From this reading A portrait of Colonel Kent, in uniform, hung above the great mantel.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Motes danced in the beam, and the house somehow seemed less despairing, less alone.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading "How was it?" asked Madame, when they reached home.
mantelnounUS /ˈmæntəl/
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading A portrait of Colonel Kent, in uniform, hung above the great mantel.
MotesnounUS /moʊts/
plural of “mote” — (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
From this reading Motes danced in the beam, and the house somehow seemed less despairing, less alone.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/
coated with paint
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
portraitnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrət/
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading A portrait of Colonel Kent, in uniform, hung above the great mantel.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading "How was it?" asked Madame, when they reached home.
RosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Motes danced in the beam, and the house somehow seemed less despairing, less alone.
slantingadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
smiledverbUS /smaɪld/
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
somehowadverbUS /ˈsʌmhaʊ/
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading Motes danced in the beam, and the house somehow seemed less despairing, less alone.
steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/
make steady
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
sunbeams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
swervenounUS /swɜːrv/
the act of turning aside suddenly
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading A portrait of Colonel Kent, in uniform, hung above the great mantel.
unseeingadjective
not consciously observing
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
WinternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It was almost dusk when they went downstairs, but the cold slanting sunbeams of a Winter afternoon came through the grimy windows and illumined the gloomy depths of the open fireplace in the hall.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Rose smiled at it with comprehension, but the painted lips did not answer, nor the unseeing eyes swerve from their steady searching of Beyond.
