used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
beckonedverbUS /ˈbekənd/
past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
BERTHA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/
past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
easy-chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
a man of refinement
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
insaneadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈseɪn/
afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
insanitynounUS /ˌɪnˈsænəti/
relatively permanent disorder of the mind
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
a room where books are kept
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
loungesnounUS /ˈlaʊndʒɪz/
plural of “lounge” — an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
engage in
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
MYSTIFIEDadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstəfaɪd/
totally perplexed and mixed up
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
Presby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
sofasnounUS /ˈsoʊfəz/
plural of “sofa” — an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
suppliedverbUS /səˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
symptomnounUS /ˈsɪmptəm/
(medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
carry out
From this reading She did not at first dare to take the chair to which the old gentleman beckoned her, but lingered near the door, ready to make her escape when she should discover the first symptom of insanity in the invalid.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
a special situation
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As they entered this room, the old gentleman closed the door behind them, and offered her a chair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
at the time that
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading BERTHA MYSTIFIED BY STRANGE THINGS The old gentleman conducted Bertha up the stairs to the large front room which was fitted up as a library.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Bertha almost wished she had not come in, when Mr. Presby closed the door, for being alone with an insane man was the most terrible thing she could imagine.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was furnished in a plain, old-fashioned manner, and was well supplied with sofas, lounges and easy-chairs.
