used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading “Do you play on the piano?” inquired Miss Libbie politely, turning to her new acquaintance.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
AMONGprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The top was partially covered by an embroidered cloth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
Biggar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Miss Libbie Biggar was perfectly familiar with it.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
BluebellnounUS /ˈbluːbel/
sometimes placed in genus Scilla
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Miss Libbie Biggar was perfectly familiar with it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The top was partially covered by an embroidered cloth.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
claw-footed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading The top was partially covered by an embroidered cloth.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The top was partially covered by an embroidered cloth.
disclosingverbUS /dɪˈskloʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “disclose” — make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Do you play on the piano?” inquired Miss Libbie politely, turning to her new acquaintance.
DUCKverbUS /dʌk/
to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading The top was partially covered by an embroidered cloth.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading But Miss Libbie Biggar was perfectly familiar with it.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
foldingnounUS /ˈfoʊldɪŋ/
the process whereby a protein molecule assumes its intricate three-dimensional shape
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading “Do you play on the piano?” inquired Miss Libbie politely, turning to her new acquaintance.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But Miss Libbie Biggar was perfectly familiar with it.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
staying power
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
Libbie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Miss Libbie Biggar was perfectly familiar with it.
lidnounUS /lɪd/
either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
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 She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
MelissanounUS /məˈlɪsə/
a genus of Old World mints of the family Labiatae
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading But Miss Libbie Biggar was perfectly familiar with it.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading “Do you play on the piano?” inquired Miss Libbie politely, turning to her new acquaintance.
being perceived or observed
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading The top was partially covered by an embroidered cloth.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading But Miss Libbie Biggar was perfectly familiar with it.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading “Do you play on the piano?” inquired Miss Libbie politely, turning to her new acquaintance.
participate in games or sport
From this reading “Do you play on the piano?” inquired Miss Libbie politely, turning to her new acquaintance.
politelyadverbUS /pəˈlaɪtli/
in a polite manner
From this reading “Do you play on the piano?” inquired Miss Libbie politely, turning to her new acquaintance.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
having a supporting base
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
SWANSnounUS /swɑːnz/
plural of “swan” — stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The top was partially covered by an embroidered cloth.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading “Do you play on the piano?” inquired Miss Libbie politely, turning to her new acquaintance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A DUCK AMONG SWANS After tea was over they went into the back parlor; and here Bluebell noticed for the first time a large, shining object standing on carved and claw-footed legs.
a Caucasian
From this reading She tried to move the front of it, and Miss Melissa finally opened a folding lid for her, disclosing a long row of brilliant black and white ivory keys.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But Miss Libbie Biggar was perfectly familiar with it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Do you play on the piano?” inquired Miss Libbie politely, turning to her new acquaintance.
