used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
how long something has existed
From this reading The floor was likewise black, polished with age and the labour of generations.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
barbarouslyadverb
in a barbarous manner
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
Barracombe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The floor was likewise black, polished with age and the labour of generations.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
combverbUS /koʊm/
straighten with a comb
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
Crewys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
defiedverbUS /dɪˈfaɪd/
inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
ElizabethannounUS /ˌelɪzəˈbiːθən/
a person who lived during the reign of Elizabeth I
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
engravernounUS /ɪnˈɡreɪvər/
a skilled worker who can inscribe designs or writing onto a surface by carving or etching
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
opinion or judgment
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The floor was likewise black, polished with age and the labour of generations.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading The floor was likewise black, polished with age and the labour of generations.
grainedverbUS /ɡreɪnd/
past form of “grain” — thoroughly work in
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading The floor was likewise black, polished with age and the labour of generations.
leadedadjectiveUS /ˈledɪd/
(of panes of glass) fixed in place by means of thin strips of lead
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
set afire or burning
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
in like or similar manner
From this reading The floor was likewise black, polished with age and the labour of generations.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
held or filled or in use
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
and nothing more
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
coated with paint
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
panelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
partitionnounUS /pɑːrˈtɪʃən/
a vertical structure that divides or separates (as a wall divides one room from another)
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading The floor was likewise black, polished with age and the labour of generations.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
richlyadverbUS /ˈrɪtʃli/
to an ample degree or in an ample manner
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
stained-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Only the staircase was so heavily and richly carved, that it had defied the ingenuity of the comb engraver.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
varnishedadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːrnɪʃt/
having a coating of stain or varnish
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
vestibulenounUS /ˈvestɪbjuːl/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
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 It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading It was divided from the outer vestibule on the western side of the building by a massive partition of dark oak, and it retained the solid beams and panelled walls of Elizabethan days; but the oak had been barbarously painted, grained and varnished.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading It occupied the further end of the hall, opposite the entrance door, and was lighted dimly by a small heavily leaded, stained-glass window.
in the company of; together with
From this reading John Crewys looked round the hall at Barracombe House with curious, interested eyes.
