used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SUDDEN SUMMONS.
adornmentnounUS /əˈdɔːrnmənt/
a decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve plainness
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
aristocracynounUS /ˌerəˈstɑːkrəsi/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
arrayedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪd/
in ceremonial attire and paraphernalia
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
brought into existence
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
crimsonadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmzən/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
crimson-satin-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
discontentnounUS /dɪskənˈtent/
a longing for something better than the present situation
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
dressing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
communicated in words
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
fretfuladjectiveUS /ˈfretfəl/
nervous and unable to relax
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
gayly-frescoed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
coins made of gold
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
jewelrynounUS /ˈdʒuːəlri/
an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
Lea's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
PRIORadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪər/
earlier in time
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
prominentadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːmənənt/
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
quantitynounUS /ˈkwɑːntəti/
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
reclinedverbUS /rɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “recline” — move the upper body backwards and down
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
robenounUS /roʊb/
any loose flowing garment
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
sallowadjective
unhealthy looking
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
shoddyadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːdi/
made of inferior workmanship and materials
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
slightly-wrinkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading A SUDDEN SUMMONS.
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
SUMMONSnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading A SUDDEN SUMMONS.
superciliousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈsɪliəs/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading She evidently belonged to the shoddy aristocracy, and her sallow, slightly-wrinkled face expressed nothing but supercilious pride and fretful discontent.
express in words
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I tell thee life is but one common care, And man was born to suffer and to fear.”--PRIOR.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading The lady herself, arrayed in a morning robe of dark blue silk, and wearing a great quantity of heavy jewelry, reclined upon a crimson-satin-covered couch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Lea’s dressing-room was gorgeous with crimson and gold; they were the prominent colors of its adornment, from the velvet carpet on the floor to the gayly-frescoed ceiling.
