used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
BERNARDnounUS /bərˈnɑːrd/
French physiologist noted for research on secretions of the alimentary canal and the glycogenic function of the liver (1813-1878)
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now the days were getting cold and short, tea by the hearth was a popular function.
Carrie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oak logs snapped in the grate and Carrie sat on the rug in the flickering light.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
cupsnounUS /kʌps/
plural of “cup” — a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Now the days were getting cold and short, tea by the hearth was a popular function.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading Oak logs snapped in the grate and Carrie sat on the rug in the flickering light.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
functionnounUS /ˈfʌŋkʃən/
(mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)
From this reading Now the days were getting cold and short, tea by the hearth was a popular function.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading Oak logs snapped in the grate and Carrie sat on the rug in the flickering light.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Now the days were getting cold and short, tea by the hearth was a popular function.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
and nothing more
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
Langrigg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Oak logs snapped in the grate and Carrie sat on the rug in the flickering light.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading Oak logs snapped in the grate and Carrie sat on the rug in the flickering light.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
marshnounUS /mɑːrʃ/
low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
muffinsnounUS /ˈmʌfənz/
plural of “muffin” — a sweet quick bread baked in a cup-shaped pan
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now the days were getting cold and short, tea by the hearth was a popular function.
OaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Oak logs snapped in the grate and Carrie sat on the rug in the flickering light.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Oak logs snapped in the grate and Carrie sat on the rug in the flickering light.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
PONDERSverbUS /ˈpɑːndərz/
third-person singular of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading Now the days were getting cold and short, tea by the hearth was a popular function.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Oak logs snapped in the grate and Carrie sat on the rug in the flickering light.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Now the days were getting cold and short, tea by the hearth was a popular function.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
snappedverbUS /snæpt/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading Oak logs snapped in the grate and Carrie sat on the rug in the flickering light.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Now the days were getting cold and short, tea by the hearth was a popular function.
teapotnounUS /ˈtiːpɑːt/
pot for brewing tea; usually has a spout and handle
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
toastingnounUS /ˈtoʊstɪŋ/
cooking to a brown crispiness over a fire or on a grill
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
wailedverbUS /weɪld/
past form of “wail” — emit long loud cries
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now the days were getting cold and short, tea by the hearth was a popular function.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
which person or people
From this reading BERNARD PONDERS It was getting dark in the hall at Langrigg and Jim, who had just returned from the marsh, sat in the hollow of the big fireplace.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Rain beat upon the windows, outside which the trees tossed their naked branches against the lowering sky, and a cold wind wailed about the ancient walls.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading She was toasting muffins, and a silver teapot and some cups stood on the low table in front of Mrs. Winter.
