Chapter XI · Chapter 11

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The ceiling was blackened by the smoke from them, and the air was heavy, clouding the window-panes.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

completely unclothed

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

darkened by smoke

From this reading The ceiling was blackened by the smoke from them, and the air was heavy, clouding the window-panes.

(used in the plural) the stage of a theater

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading The ceiling was blackened by the smoke from them, and the air was heavy, clouding the window-panes.

plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

cut or trimmed by clipping

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

the process whereby water particles become visible in the sky

From this reading The ceiling was blackened by the smoke from them, and the air was heavy, clouding the window-panes.

plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The ceiling was blackened by the smoke from them, and the air was heavy, clouding the window-panes.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The ceiling was blackened by the smoke from them, and the air was heavy, clouding the window-panes.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

having an unpleasant smell

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

a short coat

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

plural of “kerchief” — a square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or about the neck

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

set afire or burning

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

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 The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

a garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading The ceiling was blackened by the smoke from them, and the air was heavy, clouding the window-panes.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

-ing form of “stamp” — walk heavily

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

not in physical motion

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

plural of “sweetheart” — a person loved by another person

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The floor of the room was crowded with dancers; sturdy, square-faced moujiks in high boots; and their sweethearts in kerchiefs and short skirts.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The ceiling was blackened by the smoke from them, and the air was heavy, clouding the window-panes.

work hard

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

up to a particular time

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

a usually cotton fabric with a short pile imitating velvet

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

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 At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The room was long, and low, and bare, lighted in the four corners by lamps, small and ill-smelling.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The ceiling was blackened by the smoke from them, and the air was heavy, clouding the window-panes.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The moujiks perspired, stamping the boards with their boots until the lamps rattled and shook, and the smoke rolled out of the chimneys; embracing the heavy forms of the women with hands worn and still grimy with toil.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading At one end of the room was a raised platform, and on the platform sat two gypseys; the one was dark, in a picturesque, tattered costume, with a scarf about his waist, and a violin; the other was slight, with golden curls clipped short, and a ragged jacket of velveteen, worn at the elbows.