used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
accessibleadjectiveUS /ækˈsesəbəl/
capable of being reached
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
placed in a grave
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/
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 house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
cottagesnounUS /ˈkɑːtɪdʒɪz/
plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
destroyingverbUS /dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “destroy” — do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
EdennounUS /ˈiːdən/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
edificenounUS /ˈedəfəs/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
flowingnounUS /ˈfloʊɪŋ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
fruit-orchards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
gable-windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
garretnounUS /ˈɡerɪt/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
grovesnounUS /ɡroʊvz/
United States general who served as military director of the atomic bomb project (1896-1970)
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
hotelsnounUS /hoʊˈtelz/
plural of “hotel” — a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
engage in
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
and nothing more
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
peakedadjectiveUS /piːkt/
somewhat ill or prone to illness
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
primevaladjectiveUS /praɪˈmiːvəl/
having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
ramblingadjectiveUS /ˈræmblɪŋ/
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
Staten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
not in physical motion
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
structuresnounUS /ˈstrʌktʃərz/
plural of “structure” — a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
substantialadjectiveUS /səbˈstænʃəl/
of considerable importance, size, or worth
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
confined on all sides
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Many of these are on the shore, and not being so accessible as these modern structures, are of course less known.
thicketsnounUS /ˈθɪkəts/
plural of “thicket” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
verandasnounUS /vərˈændəz/
plural of “veranda” — a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading One of these buildings, situated almost in the verge of the Island, surrounded by groves of primeval trees, fruit-orchards, and flowing thickets, must now become the scene of our story.
villasnounUS /ˈvɪləz/
plural of “villa” — Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading A few old houses still remain among the villas, hotels, and cottages that make Staten Island a little Eden.
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 a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The house was an old, rambling affair, with irregular wings and a centre building three stories high, with heavy stone chimneys, that time itself seemed incapable of destroying, and a peaked roof, with gable-windows, that, however, were all for outside show, looking only from an open garret.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading It was a substantial edifice, built of stone, but the wings were of wood, with verandas and French windows, half buried in creeping vines and climbing roses.
