adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
AlsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/
in addition
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Instead of an interior scene, it was a winter landscape.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
branchesnounUS /ˈbræntʃəz/
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
bumpsnounUS /bʌmps/
plural of “bump” — a lump on the body caused by a blow
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
changedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪndʒd/
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
crystalnounUS /ˈkrɪstəl/
a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
diamondnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/
a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
dustverbUS /dʌst/
remove the dust from
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
evergreensnounUS /ˈevərɡriːnz/
plural of “evergreen” — a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
fieldnounUS /fiːld/
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
flournounUS /ˈflaʊər/
fine powdery foodstuff obtained by grinding and sifting the meal of a cereal grain
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
hillocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
iciclesnounUS /ˈaɪsɪkəlz/
plural of “icicle” — ice resembling a pendent spear, formed by the freezing of dripping water
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
InsteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead of an interior scene, it was a winter landscape.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading Instead of an interior scene, it was a winter landscape.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading Instead of an interior scene, it was a winter landscape.
lightlyadverbUS /ˈlaɪtli/
without good reason
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
numerousadjectiveUS /ˈnuːmərəs/
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Instead of an interior scene, it was a winter landscape.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
powderedadjectiveUS /ˈpaʊdərd/
consisting of fine particles
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
rumpledadjectiveUS /ˈrʌmpəld/
in disarray; extremely disorderly
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
scenenounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Instead of an interior scene, it was a winter landscape.
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
snow-whiteadjective
of the white color of snow
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
sprinkledverbUS /ˈsprɪŋkəld/
past form of “sprinkle” — distribute loosely
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
strewnverbUS /struːn/
inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Also diamond dust had been lightly sprinkled on them, and glittering crystal icicles hung from the branches.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
tuftsnounUS /tʌfts/
plural of “tuft” — a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Instead of an interior scene, it was a winter landscape.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The numerous palms and evergreens that had decorated the room, were powdered with flour and strewn with tufts of cotton, like snow.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Instead of an interior scene, it was a winter landscape.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The floor was covered with snow-white canvas, not laid on smoothly, but rumpled over bumps and hillocks, like a real snow field.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading When the young people returned to the ballroom, it presented a decidedly changed appearance.
