used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
acresnounUS /ˈeɪkərz/
extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
agreementsnounUS /əˈɡriːmənts/
plural of “agreement” — the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
algebranounUS /ˈældʒəbrə/
the mathematics of generalized arithmetical operations
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
(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this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
annotatedverbUS /ˌænəˈteɪtɪd/
past form of “annotate” — add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
compositionsnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “composition” — the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
depositedverbUS /dəˈpɑːzɪtɪd/
past form of “deposit” — put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
dexterouslyadverb
with dexterity; in a dexterous manner
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
diariesnounUS /ˈdaɪəriz/
plural of “diary” — a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
documentsnounUS /ˈdɑːkjəmənts/
plural of “document” — writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
draftsnounUS /dræfts/
plural of “draft” — a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
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 There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
encumbering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
essaynounUS /eˈseɪ/
an analytic or interpretive literary composition
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
a social unit living together
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading "I filled the furnace seven times," he said to me, laconically.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
furnacenounUS /ˈfɜːrnəs/
an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.
From this reading "I filled the furnace seven times," he said to me, laconically.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
the act of departing
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
to a considerable degree
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
ineffableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnefəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
insertedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrtəd/
past form of “insert” — put or introduce into something
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
laconicallyadverb
in a dry laconic manner
From this reading "I filled the furnace seven times," he said to me, laconically.
the act of departing
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
joined in matrimony
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I filled the furnace seven times," he said to me, laconically.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
memorandanounUS /ˌmemərˈændə/
a written proposal or reminder
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
held or filled or in use
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
on one occasion
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
and nothing more
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
out-of-dateadjective
old; no longer valid or fashionable
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
post-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
problemsnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
quit-claim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
Raymond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
Raymond's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
receipted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I filled the furnace seven times," he said to me, laconically.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
sedimentnounUS /ˈsedəmənt/
matter that has been deposited by some natural process
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading "I filled the furnace seven times," he said to me, laconically.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
sheavesnounUS /ʃiːvz/
plural of “sheaf” — a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
sheepskinnounUS /ˈʃiːpskɪn/
tanned skin of a sheep with the fleece left on; used for clothing
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
signaturenounUS /ˈsɪɡnətʃər/
your name written in your own handwriting
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
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 There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
stressnounUS /stres/
the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
suburbanadjectiveUS /səˈbɜːrbən/
relating to or characteristic of or situated in suburbs
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading "I filled the furnace seven times," he said to me, laconically.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
tonicadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːnɪk/
of or relating to or producing normal tone or tonus in muscles or tissue
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
VirgilnounUS /ˈvɜːrdʒəl/
a Roman poet; author of the epic poem “Aeneid” (70-19 BC)
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
which person or people
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There were several faded agreements with the signature of the ineffable individual who had married into the family, had received a quit-claim to those suburban acres, and had then, at a point of stress, refused to give them back.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There were drafts of Raymond's early compositions--his first attempts at the essay and the short story; there was an ancient, heavily annotated Virgil (only six books), and there was a sheepskin algebra in which he had taken, by himself, a post-school course as a means of intellectual tonic, with extra problems dexterously worked out and inserted on bits of blue paper....
the least favorable outcome
From this reading There were sheaves of old receipted bills--among them one for the set of parlor furniture in the best (or the worst) style of the Second Empire.
youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
From this reading I Before leaving his house for good and all, Raymond spent a dismal fortnight in going over old papers--out-of-date documents which once had interested his father and grandfather, books, diaries and memoranda which had occupied his own youthful days: the slowly deposited, encumbering sediment of three generations, long in one place.
