used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
subject to appointment
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
assembleverbUS /əˈsembəl/
create by putting components or members together
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
barber'snounUS /ˈbɑːrbərz/
possessive form of “barber” — United States composer (1910-1981)
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
dingy-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
being one more than ten
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
enchantedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtʃæn.tɪd/
Filled with or placed under the influence of magical power or charm.
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
gloomieradjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmiər/
comparative of “gloomy” — depressingly dark
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
having or deserving or conferring glory
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This was before I had seen the inside.
hallsnounUS /hɔːlz/
plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading This was before I had seen the inside.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
likenedverbUS /ˈlaɪkənd/
past form of “liken” — consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
portalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəl/
a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading This was before I had seen the inside.
get rid of
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
do one's shopping
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
the season of growth
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
stage-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
not in physical motion
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
the rays of the sun
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
theaternounUS /ˈθiːətər/
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was before I had seen the inside.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Eleven o’clock was the time appointed for “the company to assemble on the stage,” and, accordingly, at a few minutes before that hour, I stood in front of the stage-door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
uninvitingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
neither attractive nor tempting
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading T was not until about a week before the opening night, that I received a summons to attend at the theater.
in or at the place that
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A glorious spring sunshine made it look, by contrast, still more uninviting, and I likened it to the entrance to the enchanted palace in the fairy tales, where the gloomier the portal through which the prince passes, the more gorgeous the halls beyond.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a dingy-looking place, up a back street, with a barber’s shop on one side, and a coal shed on the other.
