used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
how long something has existed
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
automobilenounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
balconiesnounUS /ˈbælkəniz/
plural of “balcony” — an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Lifting his hat he made a low, old-fashioned bow.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
clamberedverbUS /ˈklæmbərd/
past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
dearly loved
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
dormernounUS /ˈdɔːrmər/
a gabled extension built out from a sloping roof to accommodate a vertical window
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
Eycknoun
Flemish painter who was a founder of the Flemish school of painting and who pioneered modern techniques of oil painting (1390-1441)
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Lifting his hat he made a low, old-fashioned bow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lifting his hat he made a low, old-fashioned bow.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
high-peaked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
LiftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading Lifting his hat he made a low, old-fashioned bow.
without good reason
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Lifting his hat he made a low, old-fashioned bow.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
a particular point in time
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
nephewsnounUS /ˈnefjuːz/
plural of “nephew” — a son of your brother or sister
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading Lifting his hat he made a low, old-fashioned bow.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
piazzas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
a light shade of red
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
ramblingadjectiveUS /ˈræmblɪŋ/
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
the season of growth
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The handsome old master of this charming house leaped to the ground as lightly as one of his nephews, the moment the automobile drew up at the front door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
precisely as stated
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
accept gladly
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was an enormous house built of brick, turned a faded pink, now, from age, which made a delicate background for the heavy vines that shaded the piazzas and balconies and clambered up to the roof itself.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ten Eyck Hall, with its high-peaked roofs, its rambling wings and innumerable dormer windows, seemed to the four girls the very home of romance.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Dear ladies,” he said, “you are as welcome to my home as the flowers in spring!”
