adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
annalsnounUS /ˈænəlz/
reports of the work of a society or learned body etc
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
assistedadjectiveUS /əˈsɪstɪd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
assistingverbUS /əˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “assist” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
attainedadjectiveUS /əˈteɪnd/
achieved or reached
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
beggedverbUS /beɡd/
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
biographernounUS /baɪˈɑːɡrəfər/
someone who writes an account of a person's life
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
biographynounUS /baɪˈɑːɡrəfi/
an account of the series of events making up a person's life
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
choseverbUS /tʃoʊz/
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
circumstancenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
dangerousadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪndʒərəs/
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
dearthnounUS /dɜːrθ/
an acute insufficiency
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
decrepitadjectiveUS /dəˈkrepɪt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəs/
having or expressing desire for something
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
destroyedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɔɪd/
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
eighteenthadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the seventeenth in position
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
ErasmusnounUS /ɪˈræzməs/
Dutch humanist and theologian who was the leading Renaissance scholar of northern Europe; although his criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church led to the Reformation, he opposed violence and condemned Martin Luther (1466-1536)
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
fashionnounUS /ˈfæʃən/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
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 In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
finishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪnɪʃt/
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
glassnounUS /ɡlæs/
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
gratitudenounUS /ˈɡrætətuːd/
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
introducingverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
knowsnounUS /noʊz/
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
offerverbUS /ˈɔːfər/
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/
coated with paint
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
Percy'snounUS /ˈpɜːrsiz/
possessive form of “percy” — United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
Percy-hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
periodnounUS /ˈpɪriəd/
an amount of time
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
permissionnounUS /pərˈmɪʃən/
approval to do something
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
readernounUS /ˈriːdər/
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
recordingnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
savedadjectiveUS /seɪvd/
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
sonsnounUS /sʌnz/
plural of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
takeverbUS /teɪk/
carry out
From this reading In this dearth of events, may we take the liberty of introducing, according to the fashion of modern biography, a few private letters?
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
testimonynounUS /ˈtestəmoʊni/
a solemn statement made under oath
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
thirdnounUS /θɜːrd/
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/
not known
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
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 At the time of the fire at Percy-hall, a painted glass window in the passage--we should say the gallery--leading to the study had been destroyed.--Old Martha, whose life Caroline had saved, had a son, who possessed some talents as a painter, and who had learnt the art of painting on glass.
worthnounUS /wɜːrθ/
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading This was the only circumstance worth recording which the biographer can find noted in the family annals at this period.
writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading He had been early in his life assisted by the Percy family, and, desirous to offer some small testimony of his gratitude, he begged permission to paint a new window for the gallery.--He chose for his subject the fire, and the moment when Caroline was assisting his decrepit mother down the dangerous staircase.--The painting was finished unknown to Caroline, and put up on her birthday, when she had just attained her eighteenth year.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading They are written by persons of whom the reader as yet knows nothing--Mr. Percy’s second and third sons, Alfred and Erasmus.
