used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
carpenternounUS /ˈkɑːrpəntər/
a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
chuckledverbUS /ˈtʃʌkəld/
past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
not accessible to view
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
Corliss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
Crowfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
the specified day of the month
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
devicesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪsəz/
an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading So the houses were easily fitted with electricity.
effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/
property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
electricitynounUS /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons
From this reading So the houses were easily fitted with electricity.
divisible by two
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading So the houses were easily fitted with electricity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
Griggs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading So the houses were easily fitted with electricity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
engage in
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
in motion
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
a form of address for a man
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
nail-heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the houses were easily fitted with electricity.
the season of growth
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
swift-flowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He chuckled over the moving chair, the secret of which was a spring concealed under one of the brass nail-heads.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Even the old Corliss mansion was up to date in that respect, at least.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
water-power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
waterfallnounUS /ˈwɔːtərfɔːl/
a steep descent of the water of a river
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So the houses were easily fitted with electricity.
at the time that
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading This was why Aunt Nan had been able to carry out her liking for queer devices and unexpected mechanical effects, as Mr. Griggs, the carpenter, explained when he came to make more hospitable the front hall.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE BOOKS The town of Crowfield was built on a swift-flowing river with a waterfall, which gave it strong water-power.
