used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
aghastadjectiveUS /əˈɡæst/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
equally
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “What was it, John?” demanded Octavia, very pale, but steady in a moment.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
chattingverbUS /ˈtʃætɪŋ/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading “What was it, John?” demanded Octavia, very pale, but steady in a moment.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
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 A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
evening'snounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
possessive form of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
festivitynounUS /feˈstɪvəti/
any joyous diversion
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
fleecyadjectiveUS /ˈfliːsi/
(of fabrics) having soft nap produced by brushing
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
footmannounUS /ˈfʊtmən/
a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
brought together in one place
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “I'll go and see, miss.”
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
hollynounUS /ˈhɑːli/
any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I'll go and see, miss.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading “What was it, John?” demanded Octavia, very pale, but steady in a moment.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
lightingnounUS /ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
having abundant light or illumination
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
merrilyadverbUS /ˈmerəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “I'll go and see, miss.”
MISTLETOEnounUS /ˈmɪsəltoʊ/
American plants closely resembling Old World mistletoe
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
a particular point in time
From this reading “What was it, John?” demanded Octavia, very pale, but steady in a moment.
subject to death
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
oakenadjective
consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
Octavia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What was it, John?” demanded Octavia, very pale, but steady in a moment.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading “What was it, John?” demanded Octavia, very pale, but steady in a moment.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I'll go and see, miss.”
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
make steady
From this reading “What was it, John?” demanded Octavia, very pale, but steady in a moment.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A heavy glass shade fell from the man's hand with a crash, and the young ladies clung to one another aghast, for mortal terror was in the cry, and a dead silence followed it.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
UnusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
precisely as stated
From this reading “What was it, John?” demanded Octavia, very pale, but steady in a moment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What was it, John?” demanded Octavia, very pale, but steady in a moment.
at the time that
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
a Caucasian
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading A footman was lighting the hall lamps, for the winter dusk gathered early, and the girls were merrily chatting about the evening's festivity when suddenly a loud, long shriek echoed through the hall.
in the company of; together with
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
wreathsnounUS /riːθs/
plural of “wreath” — flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading UNDER THE MISTLETOE Unusually gay and charming the three young friends looked, dressed alike in fleecy white with holly wreaths in their hair, as they slowly descended the wide oaken stairway arm in arm.
