used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
apronnounUS /ˈeɪprən/
a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
on or to one side
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
burstsnounUS /bɜːrsts/
plural of “burst” — the act of exploding or bursting
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Marguerite followed Dame Tillery into the cottage.
DamenounUS /deɪm/
informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading Marguerite followed Dame Tillery into the cottage.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The room was a singular one; the floor was of dark walnut, and entirely uncarpeted.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The room was a singular one; the floor was of dark walnut, and entirely uncarpeted.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The room was a singular one; the floor was of dark walnut, and entirely uncarpeted.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Marguerite followed Dame Tillery into the cottage.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
high-heeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
hoodnounUS /hʊd/
an aggressive and violent young criminal
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
of great significance or value
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Marguerite followed Dame Tillery into the cottage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
jarringadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːrɪŋ/
making or causing a harsh and irritating sound
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
the sound of laughing
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
MargueritenounUS /ˌmɑːrɡərˈiːt/
tall leafy-stemmed Eurasian perennial with white flowers; widely naturalized; often placed in genus Chrysanthemum
From this reading Marguerite followed Dame Tillery into the cottage.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
metal-pans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
on one occasion
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The room was a singular one; the floor was of dark walnut, and entirely uncarpeted.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
patternounUS /ˈpætər/
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
shawlnounUS /ʃɔːl/
cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
a particular situation
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
unusual or striking
From this reading The room was a singular one; the floor was of dark walnut, and entirely uncarpeted.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
dependable
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
SwanverbUS /swɑːn/
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Marguerite followed Dame Tillery into the cottage.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
bound or secured closely
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
Tillery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marguerite followed Dame Tillery into the cottage.
tinklingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋkəlɪŋ/
like the short high ringing sound of a small bell
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
uncarpetedadjective
not carpeted
From this reading The room was a singular one; the floor was of dark walnut, and entirely uncarpeted.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
walnutnounUS /ˈwɔːlnʌt/
nut of any of various walnut trees having a wrinkled two-lobed seed with a hard shell
From this reading The room was a singular one; the floor was of dark walnut, and entirely uncarpeted.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
a Caucasian
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Dame Tillery took off her outer garments, and drawing an apron of white linen from her pocket, tied it around her stout waist with the air of a woman about to perform some important duty, then she entered the room which seemed so full of merriment, as if it had been her own parlor in The Swan Hotel.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading A confused sound of voices, and low bursts of laughter met them at the threshold, and with this was mingled the tinkling sound of metal-pans jarring against each other, and the patter of high-heeled shoes upon the wooden door of a room beyond.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Put aside your hood and shawl, dame,” said the queen; “you are wanted at once.”
