used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The singing ceased as we stepped across the threshold.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
another's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The singing ceased as we stepped across the threshold.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Be welcome," piped a harsh voice with a singular note of cheerfulness in it.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The singing ceased as we stepped across the threshold.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
cheerfulnessnounUS /ˈtʃɪrfəlnəs/
the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom
From this reading "Be welcome," piped a harsh voice with a singular note of cheerfulness in it.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading "Be welcome," piped a harsh voice with a singular note of cheerfulness in it.
to a considerable degree
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Whose step is that with you, pastor?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Be welcome," piped a harsh voice with a singular note of cheerfulness in it.
jamverbUS /dʒæm/
press tightly together or cram
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
lapsnounUS /læps/
plural of “lap” — the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
low-ceiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
a brief written record
From this reading "Be welcome," piped a harsh voice with a singular note of cheerfulness in it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
pastornounUS /ˈpæstər/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading "Whose step is that with you, pastor?
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
pipedverbUS /paɪpt/
past form of “pipe” — utter a shrill cry
From this reading "Be welcome," piped a harsh voice with a singular note of cheerfulness in it.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading The singing ceased as we stepped across the threshold.
unusual or striking
From this reading "Be welcome," piped a harsh voice with a singular note of cheerfulness in it.
squattingnounUS /ˈskwɑːtɪŋ/
exercising by repeatedly assuming a crouching position with the knees bent; strengthens the leg muscles
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading "Whose step is that with you, pastor?
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The singing ceased as we stepped across the threshold.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Whose step is that with you, pastor?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading The singing ceased as we stepped across the threshold.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
veiledadjectiveUS /veɪld/
having or as if having a veil or concealing cover
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Be welcome," piped a harsh voice with a singular note of cheerfulness in it.
wanadjectiveUS /wɑːn/
(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The singing ceased as we stepped across the threshold.
accept gladly
From this reading "Be welcome," piped a harsh voice with a singular note of cheerfulness in it.
in or at the place that
From this reading The door opened upon a low-ceiled room, where the evening shades lay deep.
belonging to which person
From this reading "Whose step is that with you, pastor?
in the company of; together with
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
wrinkledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪŋkəld/
marked by wrinkles
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Whose step is that with you, pastor?
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The red glow from the kitchen stove discovered a jam of children, young girls mostly, perched on the table, the chairs, in one another's laps, or squatting on the floor; in the midst of them, a little old woman with heavily veiled face, and wan, wrinkled hands folded in her lap.
