used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading His servant had gone to bed and he was alone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His servant had gone to bed and he was alone.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading His servant had gone to bed and he was alone.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
put or send forth
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
coalsnounUS /koʊlz/
plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
concert-grand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
DamenounUS /deɪm/
informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
engravingsnounUS /ɪnˈɡreɪvɪŋz/
plural of “engraving” — a print made from an engraving
From this reading Tapestries hung from the walls, a painting here and there, a few engravings.
Erard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Tapestries hung from the walls, a painting here and there, a few engravings.
fire-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Tapestries hung from the walls, a painting here and there, a few engravings.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
destroyed or killed
From this reading His servant had gone to bed and he was alone.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His servant had gone to bed and he was alone.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His servant had gone to bed and he was alone.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Tapestries hung from the walls, a painting here and there, a few engravings.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Tapestries hung from the walls, a painting here and there, a few engravings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
jewelnounUS /ˈdʒuːəl/
a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
lidnounUS /lɪd/
either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
Notre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading Tapestries hung from the walls, a painting here and there, a few engravings.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
rich-hued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading His servant had gone to bed and he was alone.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
stainedadjectiveUS /steɪnd/
marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
not in physical motion
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
strewnverbUS /struːn/
inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
StudionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/
workplace for the teaching or practice of an art
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
TapestriesnounUS /ˈtæpəstriz/
plural of “tapestry” — something that resembles a tapestry in its intricacy
From this reading Tapestries hung from the walls, a painting here and there, a few engravings.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Tapestries hung from the walls, a painting here and there, a few engravings.
tiledadjectiveUS /taɪld/
covered or furnished with tiles
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
tintedverbUS /ˈtɪntɪd/
past form of “tint” — color lightly
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His servant had gone to bed and he was alone.
Velasco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
violinnounUS /vaɪəˈlɪn/
bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
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 Tapestries hung from the walls, a painting here and there, a few engravings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His servant had gone to bed and he was alone.
in or at the place that
From this reading In the centre stood an Erard, a magnificent concert-grand, open, with music strewn on its polished lid in a confusion of sheets; some piled, some fluttering loose, still others flung to the floor where a chance breeze, or a careless hand, may have scattered them.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The coals burned brightly, and the lamp cast a golden, radiant light on the rug at his feet, rich-hued and jewel tinted as the stained rose windows of Notre Dame.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Velasco sat in his Studio before the great tiled fire-place, dreaming, with his violin across his knees.
