used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
highly skilled
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
(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 There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
appliquenoun
a decorative design made of one material sewn over another
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
assumeverbUS /əˈsuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was several weeks before the Copley house was finished.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
braidverbUS /breɪd/
make by braiding or interlacing
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
brightenedverbUS /ˈbraɪtənd/
past form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
CopleynounUS /ˈkɑːpli/
American painter who did portraits of Paul Revere and John Hancock before fleeing to England to avoid the American Revolution (1738-1815)
From this reading It was several weeks before the Copley house was finished.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
cushionsnounUS /ˈkʊʃənz/
plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
embroiderynounUS /emˈbrɔɪdəri/
elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
divisible by two
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
a social unit living together
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading It was several weeks before the Copley house was finished.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
hemnounUS /hem/
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
hemstitchnoun
a stitch in which parallel threads are drawn and exposed threads are caught together in groups
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was several weeks before the Copley house was finished.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was several weeks before the Copley house was finished.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
lovelinessnoun
the quality of being good looking and attractive
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
engage in
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
paperingnounUS /ˈpeɪpərɪŋ/
the application of wallpaper
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
presentableadjectiveUS /prəˈzentəbəl/
fit to be seen
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
rubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading It was several weeks before the Copley house was finished.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Every evening was spent in painting or papering, or rubbing down some bit of old furniture to make it more presentable, and gradually the house began to assume form and loveliness.
stencilnounUS /ˈstensɪl/
a sheet of material (metal, plastic, cardboard, waxed paper, silk, etc.) that has been perforated with a pattern (printing or a design); ink or paint can pass through the perforations to create the printed pattern on the surface below
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
stitchesnounUS /ˈstɪtʃɪz/
plural of “stitch” — a link or loop or knot made by an implement in knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or sewing
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was several weeks before the Copley house was finished.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
a special situation
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading All the family united to make the work as perfect a thing of the kind as could be accomplished.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was several weeks before the Copley house was finished.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading There were rugs to braid out of all the old rags the house afforded and there were endless curtains to wash and hem and hemstitch and stencil and put up.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was several weeks before the Copley house was finished.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Even then there were cushions to make out of old pieces brightened up by the stitches of embroidery or applique work of leaves cut from bits of old velvet.
