Chapter XII · Chapter 12

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

a decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve plainness

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

a small recess opening off a larger room

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

a bleak and desolate atmosphere

From this reading In spite of its poverty and bareness, there was nothing squalid or unwholesome about the place.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

plural of “black” — the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

an occurrence of something

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

a carbonaceous material obtained by heating wood or other organic matter in the absence of air

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

a brightly printed and glazed cotton fabric

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

developed or executed with care and in minute detail

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

in a gay manner

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The house itself was a tall narrow slip.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In spite of its poverty and bareness, there was nothing squalid or unwholesome about the place.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The house itself was a tall narrow slip.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The house itself was a tall narrow slip.

a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading In spite of its poverty and bareness, there was nothing squalid or unwholesome about the place.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In spite of its poverty and bareness, there was nothing squalid or unwholesome about the place.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In spite of its poverty and bareness, there was nothing squalid or unwholesome about the place.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

superlative of “poor” — deserving or inciting pity

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading In spite of its poverty and bareness, there was nothing squalid or unwholesome about the place.

plural of “print” — the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

unusual or striking

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

inclined to shake as from weakness or defect

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

coming next after the fifth and just before the seventh in position

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

move stealthily

From this reading The house itself was a tall narrow slip.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading In spite of its poverty and bareness, there was nothing squalid or unwholesome about the place.

morally degraded

From this reading In spite of its poverty and bareness, there was nothing squalid or unwholesome about the place.

a simple seat without a back or arms

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The house itself was a tall narrow slip.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A poor garret on the sixth floor of one of the poorest houses in the poorest quarters of Paris, does not give much opportunity for a detailed description.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

detrimental to physical or moral well-being

From this reading In spite of its poverty and bareness, there was nothing squalid or unwholesome about the place.

having a variety of colors

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

plural of “white” — a Caucasian

From this reading The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

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 The window, to be sure, was in the roof, but pinned to the wall were a few newspaper prints in strong blacks and whites, and--most remarkable of all--there was an alcove for the bed, which was carefully shut off from the room by a gaily variegated chintz.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading There is little to be said about the furniture, which in this case consisted of a rickety old table, a wooden stool, and a small charcoal stove, all of the commonest kind, but all clean, and the room was not quite without adornment.