adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Deb sat amid the ruins of her home.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
black-gowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
carpetless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
cosynounUS /ˈkoʊzi/
a padded cloth covering to keep a teapot warm
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
cottagenounUS /ˈkɑːtədʒ/
a small house with a single story
From this reading "That cottage that you talk about," said he, "will not hold all those."
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
DebnounUS /deb/
a young woman making her debut into society
From this reading Deb sat amid the ruins of her home.
enclosedadjectiveUS /enˈkloʊzd/
closed in or surrounded or included within
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
flowerlessadjective
without flower or bloom and not producing seeds
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
forlornadjectiveUS /fərˈlɔːrn/
marked by or showing hopelessness
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
furniturenounUS /ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər/
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
greyadjectiveUS /ɡreɪ/
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "That cottage that you talk about," said he, "will not hold all those."
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Deb sat amid the ruins of her home.
higgledy-piggledyadjective
in utter disorder
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "That cottage that you talk about," said he, "will not hold all those."
holland-aproned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Deb sat amid the ruins of her home.
hundredsnounUS /ˈhʌndrədz/
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
leanedverbUS /liːnd/
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
lidnounUS /lɪd/
either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
mantel-shelf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
morning-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
nosenounUS /noʊz/
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "That cottage that you talk about," said he, "will not hold all those."
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
held or filled or in use
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
oddadjectiveUS /ɑːd/
not divisible by two
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Deb sat amid the ruins of her home.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
packing-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
placesnounUS /ˈpleɪsəz/
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading Deb sat amid the ruins of her home.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "That cottage that you talk about," said he, "will not hold all those."
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Deb sat amid the ruins of her home.
scatterverbUS /ˈskætər/
to cause to separate and go in different directions
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
scenenounUS /siːn/
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
smudgenounUS /smʌdʒ/
a smoky fire to drive away insects
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "That cottage that you talk about," said he, "will not hold all those."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Deb sat amid the ruins of her home.
Thornycroft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "That cottage that you talk about," said he, "will not hold all those."
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
volumesnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːmz/
plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "That cottage that you talk about," said he, "will not hold all those."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She occupied the lid of a deal packing-case that enclosed a few hundreds of books, and one that was half filled stood before her, with a scatter of odd volumes on the floor around.
wristsnounUS /rɪsts/
plural of “wrist” — a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading Mr Thornycroft leaned against the flowerless mantel-shelf, and surveyed the scene, or rather, the central figure, black-gowned, holland-aproned, with sleeves turned back from her strong wrists, and a grey smudge on her beautiful nose.
wrongadjectiveUS /rɔːŋ/
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading The floor, which was that of the once cosy morning-room, was carpetless; its usual furniture stood about higgledy-piggledy, all in the wrong places, naked and forlorn.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "That cottage that you talk about," said he, "will not hold all those."
