used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Tish sat down in the rocker and looked thoughtfully about the room.
(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 It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
broadclothnoun
a densely textured woolen fabric with a lustrous finish
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
chandeliernounUS /ʃændəˈlɪr/
branched lighting fixture; often ornate; hangs from the ceiling
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
disappointingadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/
not up to expectations
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Tish sat down in the rocker and looked thoughtfully about the room.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
apart from; not including
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
FOOTPRINTnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnt/
a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
be suspended or hanging
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Tish sat down in the rocker and looked thoughtfully about the room.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
mattressnounUS /ˈmætrəs/
a large thick pad filled with resilient material and often incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or part of a bed
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
not any; not one
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
perpendicularnounUS /ˌpɜːrpənˈdɪkjələr/
a straight line at right angles to another line
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
rockernounUS /ˈrɑːkər/
an attendant who rocks a child in a cradle
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Tish sat down in the rocker and looked thoughtfully about the room.
express in words
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
successive (without a break)
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading Tish sat down in the rocker and looked thoughtfully about the room.
Tish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
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 FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
washstandnoun
furniture consisting of a table or stand to hold a basin and pitcher of water for washing: “wash-hand stand” is a British term
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading THE FOOTPRINT ON THE WALL Well, Tish and I examined the room, and I must say at first sight it was disappointing.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Except that the heavy chandelier was bent somewhat from the perpendicular, there was no sign of what had happened there.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was an ordinary hospital room, with two windows, and a bureau between them, a washstand, a single brass bed, set high and not made up, the pillows being piled in the center of the mattress and all covered with a sheet, and two chairs, a straight one and a rocker.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Under ordinary circumstances,” she said, “if you hang a broadcloth skirt on a chandelier to brush it, you’ll have the whole business and half the ceiling about your head in a minute.
