adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
asphyxiatingadjectiveUS /æˈsfɪksieɪtɪŋ/
tending to deprive of oxygen
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
associationnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
astonishverbUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃ/
affect with wonder
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
atticnounUS /ˈætɪk/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
auntsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
basket-chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
black-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
boudoirnounUS /ˈbuːdɔɪr/
a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
boxnounUS /bɑːks/
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
bringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
casements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
charwomannounUS /ˈtʃɑːrwʊmən/
a human female employed to do housework
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
clevernessnounUS /ˈklev.ər.nəs/
The quality of being intelligent, quick to understand, and resourceful in danger.
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
cobwebbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
containedadjectiveUS /kənˈteɪnd/
gotten under control
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
cosynounUS /ˈkoʊzi/
a padded cloth covering to keep a teapot warm
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
DebnounUS /deb/
a young woman making her debut into society
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
distempernounUS /dɪˈstempər/
any of various infectious viral diseases of animals
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
dormernounUS /ˈdɔːrmər/
a gabled extension built out from a sloping roof to accommodate a vertical window
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
endsnounUS /endz/
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
favouritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
filthyadjectiveUS /ˈfɪlθi/
disgustingly dirty; filled or smeared with offensive matter
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
grubbyadjectiveUS /ˈɡrʌbi/
infested with grubs
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
hereticaladjectiveUS /hərˈetɪkəl/
characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
HitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
implantedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈplæntɪd/
(used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
lumbernounUS /ˈlʌmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
MarynounUS /ˈmeri/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
notionsnounUS /ˈnoʊʃənz/
plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
orderedadjectiveUS /ˈɔːrdərd/
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
orthodoxynounUS /ˈɔːrθədɑːksi/
the quality of being orthodox (especially in religion)
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
pairnounUS /per/
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
plasterverbUS /ˈplæstər/
apply a heavy coat to
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
rownounUS /roʊ/
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
sistersnounUS /ˈsɪstərz/
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
squareverbUS /skwer/
make square
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
stainnounUS /steɪn/
a soiled or discolored appearance
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
suburbanadjectiveUS /səˈbɜːrbən/
relating to or characteristic of or situated in suburbs
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
tenantsnounUS /ˈtenənts/
plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
transformedadjectiveUS /trænˈsfɔːrmd/
given a completely different form or appearance
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
treadmillnounUS /ˈtredmɪl/
an exercise device consisting of an endless belt on which a person can walk or jog without changing place
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The previous tenants had used it for a box and lumber room, and left it cobwebbed, filthy and asphyxiating.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was an attic at the top of a dark flight of stairs in the suburban villa that was now the sisters' home.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
whereby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deb ordered a charwoman to clean it, and a man to distemper the grubby plaster and stain the floor, and then laid down rugs, and assembled tables and books, and basket-chairs, and girls' odds and ends; whereby it was transformed into a cosy boudoir and their favourite room.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading It contained a fireplace and a long dormer window--three square casements in a row, of which the outer pair opened like doors--facing the morning sun and a country landscape.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hither came Mary when she could escape from that treadmill of which she never spoke, bringing her black-eyed boy to astonish his aunts with his cleverness, and astonishing them herself with the heretical notions which an intimate association with orthodoxy seemed to have implanted in her.
