absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
Adlerstein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
bearverbUS /ber/
have
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/
brought into existence
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
castlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
chivalrynounUS /ˈʃɪvəlri/
courtesy towards women
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
Christina's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
coarsenessnoun
language or humor that is down-to-earth
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
confusionnounUS /kənˈfjuːʒən/
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
DEBATEABLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
densnounUS /denz/
plural of “den” — the habitation of wild animals
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
depictedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpɪktəd/
represented graphically by sketch or design or lines
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
devoidadjectiveUS /dɪˈvɔɪd/
completely wanting or lacking
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
diedverbUS /daɪd/
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
dignitynounUS /ˈdɪɡnəti/
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one else wished to inhabit it.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
Ermentrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
escapedadjectiveUS /ɪˈskeɪpt/
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/
every person
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
FLOTSAMnounUS /ˈflɑːtsəm/
the floating wreckage of a ship
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
FORDnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
gracesnounUS /ˈɡreɪsɪz/
plural of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
habitationnounUS /ˌhæbəˈteɪʃən/
the native habitat or home of an animal or plant
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
haughtinessnoun
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
heightnounUS /haɪt/
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
imaginationnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
inconceivableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈsiːvəbəl/
totally unlikely
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
inhabitverbUS /ˌɪnˈhæbət/
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading No one else wished to inhabit it.
inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
JETSAMnoun
the part of a ship's equipment or cargo that is thrown overboard to lighten the load in a storm
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
keepverbUS /kiːp/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
LIFEnounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
magnifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmæɡnəfaɪd/
enlarged to an abnormal degree
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No one else wished to inhabit it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one else wished to inhabit it.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
otherwiseadverbUS /ˈʌðərwaɪz/
in other respects or ways
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
quietnessnounUS /ˈkwaɪətnəs/
the property of making no sound
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
residedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪdɪd/
past form of “reside” — make one's home in a particular place or community
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
sakenounUS /seɪk/
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
Schloss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
squalornounUS /ˈskwɑːlər/
sordid dirtiness
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
state-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
thicknessnounUS /ˈθɪknəs/
the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
unableadjectiveUS /əˈneɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
upperadjectiveUS /ˈʌpər/
the topmost one of two
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
violencenounUS /ˈvaɪələns/
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM OF THE DEBATEABLE FORD LIFE in Schloss Adlerstein was little less intolerable than Christina’s imagination had depicted it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was entirely devoid of all the graces of chivalry, and its squalor and coarseness, magnified into absurdity by haughtiness and violence, were almost inconceivable.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
whollyadverbUS /ˈhoʊli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Fortunately for her, the inmates of the castle resided almost wholly below stairs in the hall and kitchen, and in some dismal dens in the thickness of their walls.
wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading No one else wished to inhabit it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The height of the keep was intended for dignity and defence, rather than for habitation; and the upper chamber, with its great state-bed, where everybody of the house of Adlerstein was born and died, was not otherwise used, except when Ermentrude, unable to bear the oppressive confusion below stairs, had escaped thither for quietness’ sake.
