adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
absent-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
acacias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
accidentaladjectiveUS /ˌæksəˈdentəl/
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
AuntnounUS /ænt/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
balm-of-gileads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it, and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
charmnounUS /tʃɑːrm/
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
CHILDRENnounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
circumstancesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz/
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
clap-boarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
clusteringnounUS /ˈklʌstərɪŋ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it, and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it.
crowdedadjectiveUS /ˈkraʊdəd/
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
deniedverbUS /dɪˈnaɪd/
inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
dreariest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
dueadjectiveUS /duː/
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it, and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it, and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it.
freedomnounUS /ˈfriːdəm/
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
friendlyadjectiveUS /ˈfrendli/
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
GlennounUS /ɡlen/
a narrow secluded valley (in the mountains)
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
graynounUS /ɡreɪ/
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
homelikeadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmlaɪk/
having a feeling of home; cozy and comfortable
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
housewivesnounUS /ˈhaʊswaɪvz/
plural of “housewife” — a wife who manages a household while her husband earns the family income
From this reading Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it, and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
indulgentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒənt/
characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
judgmentnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒmənt/
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it, and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it.
KnoxnounUS /nɑːks/
Scottish theologian who founded Presbyterianism in Scotland and wrote a history of the Reformation in Scotland (1514-1572)
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
lovableadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvəbəl/
having characteristics that attract love or affection
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
luxuriantadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriənt/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
MANSEnoun
a large and imposing house
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
MarynounUS /ˈmeri/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
mellowedadjectiveUS /ˈmeloʊd/
having a full and pleasing flavor through proper aging
From this reading Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it, and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it.
MeredithnounUS /ˈmerɪdɪθ/
United States civil rights leader whose college registration caused riots in traditionally segregated Mississippi (born in 1933)
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
Meredith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
neatestadjectiveUS /ˈniːtəst/
superlative of “neat” — clean or organized
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
PerhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
predecessornounUS /ˈpredəsesər/
one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
primmest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
reignverbUS /reɪn/
have sovereign power
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
RevverbUS /rev/
increase the number of rotations per minute
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
sand-dunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
spitenounUS /spaɪt/
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it, and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it.
untidinessnoun
the condition of being untidy
From this reading But it could not be denied that there was something very homelike and lovable about the Glen St. Mary manse in spite of its untidiness.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
viewsnounUS /vjuːz/
plural of “view” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
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 Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MANSE CHILDREN Aunt Martha might be, and was, a very poor housekeeper; the Rev. John Knox Meredith might be, and was, a very absent-minded, indulgent man.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Even the critical housewives of the Glen felt it, and were unconsciously mellowed in judgment because of it.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But these things had been there in the reign of Mr. Meredith’s predecessor, when the manse had been the primmest, neatest, and dreariest house in the Glen.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Perhaps its charm was in part due to accidental circumstances—the luxuriant vines clustering over its gray, clap-boarded walls, the friendly acacias and balm-of-gileads that crowded about it with the freedom of old acquaintance, and the beautiful views of harbour and sand-dunes from its front windows.
