adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
alenounUS /eɪl/
a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
bringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
butterynounUS /ˈbʌtəri/
a small storeroom for storing foods or wines
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
CHANCEnounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
clergymannounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimən/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
cookverbUS /kʊk/
prepare a hot meal
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
diamondnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/
a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
drawverbUS /drɔː/
cause to move by pulling
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
drivernounUS /ˈdraɪvər/
the operator of a motor vehicle
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
enteringnounUS /ˈentərɪŋ/
a movement into or inward
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
Half-dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
heelsnounUS /hiːlz/
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
humverbUS /hʌm/
sing with closed lips
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
innnounUS /ɪn/
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
landlordnounUS /ˈlændlɔːrd/
a landowner who leases to others
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
LightsnounUS /laɪts/
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
low-browed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
MEDLEYnounUS /ˈmedli/
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
night-caps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
ordersnounUS /ˈɔːrdərz/
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
pairnounUS /per/
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
panesnounUS /peɪnz/
plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
rousedverbUS /raʊzd/
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/
be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
snuffnounUS /snʌf/
the charred portion of a candlewick
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
snuffersnoun
scissors for cropping and holding the snuff of a candlewick
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
traysnounUS /treɪz/
plural of “tray” — an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
William'snounUS /ˈwɪljəmz/
possessive form of “williams” — United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
Yarmouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
