adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
Alida's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
banternounUS /ˈbæntər/
light teasing repartee
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The room itself might have been full of secrets.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “Why, of course--the house is haunted!” she reflected.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
discardedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɑːrdɪd/
thrown away
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
du
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
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 Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
figuringnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərɪŋ/
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The room itself might have been full of secrets.
ghostnounUS /ɡoʊst/
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
graduallyadverbUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəli/
in a gradual manner
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
hauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/
having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something
From this reading “Why, of course--the house is haunted!” she reflected.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The room itself might have been full of secrets.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
hoodedverbUS /ˈhʊdɪd/
past form of “hood” — cover with a hood
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading “Why, of course--the house is haunted!” she reflected.
imaginativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənətɪv/
(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
impartverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrt/
transmit (knowledge or skills)
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
imperceptibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbəl/
impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
ineffectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəˈfektʃuːəl/
not producing an intended effect
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Why, of course--the house is haunted!” she reflected.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The room itself might have been full of secrets.
largelyadverbUS /ˈlɑːrdʒli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
layersnounUS /ˈleɪərz/
plural of “layer” — single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
Lyng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
Ma'amnounUS /mæm/
a woman of refinement
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
MarynounUS /ˈmeri/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The room itself might have been full of secrets.
monthnounUS /mʌnθ/
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The room itself might have been full of secrets.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
pilingnounUS /ˈpaɪlɪŋ/
a column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into the ground to provide support for a structure
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
reflectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪd/
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading “Why, of course--the house is haunted!” she reflected.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The room itself might have been full of secrets.
ruraladjectiveUS /ˈrʊrəl/
living in or characteristic of farming or country life
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
sculpturenounUS /ˈskʌlptʃər/
a three-dimensional work of plastic art
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading The room itself might have been full of secrets.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Why, of course--the house is haunted!” she reflected.
smoke-blurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
tenantnounUS /ˈtenənt/
someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The room itself might have been full of secrets.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
usenounUS /juːs/
the act of using
From this reading The ghost--Alida’s imperceptible ghost--after figuring largely in the banter of their first month or two at Lyng, had been gradually discarded as too ineffectual for imaginative use.
vagueadjectiveUS /veɪɡ/
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
villagersnounUS /ˈvɪlɪdʒərz/
plural of “villager” — one who has lived in a village most of their life
From this reading Mary had, indeed, as became the tenant of a haunted house, made the customary inquiries among her few rural neighbors, but, beyond a vague, “They du say so, Ma’am,” the villagers had nothing to impart.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — 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 They seemed to be piling themselves up, as evening fell, like the layers and layers of velvet shadow dropping from the low ceiling, the dusky walls of books, the smoke-blurred sculpture of the hooded hearth.
WhynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Why, of course--the house is haunted!” she reflected.
