used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
in the past
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
ball-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
country-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
IrelandnounUS /ˈaɪərlənd/
a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
landlordnounUS /ˈlændlɔːrd/
a landowner who leases to others
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
a particular point in time
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
musiciansnounUS /mjuːˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “musician” — someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
not any; not one
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
panenounUS /peɪn/
sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
philanthropicadjectiveUS /ˌfɪlənˈθrɑːpɪk/
generous in assistance to the poor
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
playersnounUS /ˈpleɪərz/
plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
in the near future
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
prosceniumnoun
the part of a modern theater stage between the curtain and the orchestra (i.e., in front of the curtain)
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
rottenadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːtən/
very bad
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
theatricaladjectiveUS /θiˈætrɪkəl/
of or relating to the theater
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
unfinishedadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪnɪʃt/
not brought to the desired final state
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It had been built by some romantic or philanthropic landlord some three or four generations ago, and was a memory of we knew not what unfinished scheme.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading I went there from a neighbouring country-house, and, arriving a little before the players, tried to open a window.
window-frame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My hands were black with dirt in a moment, and presently a pane of glass and a part of the window-frame came out in my hands.
produce a literary work
From this reading THE little theatrical company I write my plays for had come to a west of Ireland town, and was to give a performance in an old ball-room, for there was no other room big enough.
but in spite of that
From this reading Everything in this room was half in ruins, the rotten boards cracked under my feet, and our new proscenium and the new boards of the platform looked out of place, and yet the room was not really old, in spite of the musicians’ gallery over the stage.
