Chapter XVIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

the sacred writings of the Christian religions

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

the capacity to attract and hold something

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

confined by bonds

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

a digestible substance used to give color to food

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

capable of being imagined

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

marked by complexity and richness of detail

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

a deliberate act of omission

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

a social unit living together

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

plural of “frame” — the framework for a pair of eyeglasses

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

tastelessly showy

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

a woman host

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

United States editor (1920-1993)

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

immediately past

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

roused to anger

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

(physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a magnetic field

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

myths collectively; the body of stories associated with a culture or institution or person

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

plural of “niche” — a position particularly well suited to the person who occupies it

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

with ostentation; in an ostentatious manner

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

a perceptual structure

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

past form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

plural of “perspective” — a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

plural of “sofa” — an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

extremely well

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

make square

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The setting sun streamed in upon a parlor on St. John's Square.

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.

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 The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Books there were, whose principal merit was their "pretty binding," the exception to this being in the shape of a large Family Bible, splendidly bound, and on the present occasion ostentatiously placed on the center-table, for Mrs. Howe had at last a baby, and this was christening-day.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

belonging to which person

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

in the company of; together with

From this reading One might have mistaken it for an upholsterer's ware-room, so loaded was it with chairs, sofas, and _tête-à-têtes_, of every conceivable size and pattern.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The same taste had hung the walls with pictures, whose coloring, perspectives, and foreshortening would have driven a true artist mad; the gaudy frames, with their elaborate gildings, being the magnet which had drawn the money from the pocket of the lady hostess.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Distorted mythology, in various forms, looked down from little gilt roosts in the corners, peeped at you from under tables, stared at you from out niches.