used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
abundantadjectiveUS /əˈbʌndənt/
present in great quantity
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
in the past
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
(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 Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
darkened by smoke
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
BookcasesnounUS /ˈbʊkkeɪsɪz/
plural of “bookcase” — a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
bronzesnounUS /ˈbrɑːnzəz/
plural of “bronze” — an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained.
gotten under control
From this reading An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained.
continuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəs/
continuing in time or space without interruption
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
convenientadjectiveUS /kənˈviːnjənt/
suited to your comfort or purpose or needs
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
easy-chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
escritoires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
extinctadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives
From this reading An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
gildingnounUS /ˈɡɪldɪŋ/
a coating of gold or of something that looks like gold
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
hangingsnounUS /ˈhæŋɡɪŋz/
plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
impressverbUS /ˌɪmˈpres/
have an emotional or cognitive impact upon
From this reading An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
leathern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
lightingnounUS /ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
having abundant light or illumination
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
mansionsnounUS /ˈmæntʃənz/
plural of “mansion” — (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
Mayfair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
morning-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
portfoliosnounUS /pɔːrtˈfoʊlioʊz/
plural of “portfolio” — a large, flat, thin case for carrying loose papers or drawings or maps; usually leather
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
print-stands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
reading-tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On one side of this fire, his back to the light, in a high leathern chair, sat an old man.
tokensnounUS /ˈtoʊkənz/
plural of “token” — an individual instance of a type of symbol
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained.
precisely as stated
From this reading The very fire burned with a dull, continuous glow, neither flaming nor crackling.
vitalitynounUS /vaɪˈtæləti/
an energetic style
From this reading An impress of extinct vitality was stamped upon the chamber and all it contained.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
well-filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
writing-tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bookcases and escritoires, writing-tables and reading-tables more or less convenient, easy-chairs, print-stands furnished with well-filled portfolios, pictures, bronzes, all the signs and tokens of wealth, were there, but nothing new.
a late time of life
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The yellow sunlight of a crisp October day was lighting up the faded though rich hangings, and the abundant but somewhat blackened gilding, of a large study or morning-room in one of the stately mansions of Mayfair, nearly fourteen years ago.
