used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Peter had been accustomed all his life to seek his mother here.
in the past
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
Barracombe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Peter had been accustomed all his life to seek his mother here.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "Mother, could I speak to you for a moment?"
placed crosswise
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Mother, could I speak to you for a moment?"
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Peter had been accustomed all his life to seek his mother here.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Peter had been accustomed all his life to seek his mother here.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Mother, could I speak to you for a moment?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Peter had been accustomed all his life to seek his mother here.
living-rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
engage in
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
a particular point in time
From this reading "Mother, could I speak to you for a moment?"
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "Mother, could I speak to you for a moment?"
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
orielnoun
a projecting bay window corbeled or cantilevered out from a wall
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
pervadeverbUS /pərˈveɪd/
spread or diffuse through
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
Peter'snounUS /ˈpiːtərz/
possessive form of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
pilenounUS /paɪl/
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
a safe place
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
try to get or reach
From this reading Peter had been accustomed all his life to seek his mother here.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
express in speech
From this reading "Mother, could I speak to you for a moment?"
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Mother, could I speak to you for a moment?"
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
which person or people
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
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 "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There was a tap at the door of Lady Mary's bedroom, and Peter's voice sounded without.
produce a literary work
From this reading Long ago, in Peter's childhood, she had learned to make this bedroom her refuge, where she could read or write or dream, in silence; away from the two old ladies, who seemed to pervade all the living-rooms at Barracombe.
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come in," said Lady Mary's soft voice; and Peter entered and closed the door, and crossed to the oriel window, where she was sitting at her writing-table, before a pile of notes and account books.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Mother, could I speak to you for a moment?"
