used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MY UNCLE'S ROOM, AND MY UNCLE IN IT.
anglesnounUS /ˈæŋɡəlz/
plural of “angle” — the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
appreciateverbUS /əˈpriːʃieɪt/
recognize with gratitude; be grateful for
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
brewerynounUS /ˈbruːəri/
a plant where beer is brewed by fermentation
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
conventnounUS /ˈkɑːnvənt/
a religious residence especially for nuns
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
the specified day of the month
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
foundedverbUS /ˈfaʊndɪd/
past form of “found” — set up or found
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MY UNCLE'S ROOM, AND MY UNCLE IN IT.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MY UNCLE'S ROOM, AND MY UNCLE IN IT.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
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 It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY UNCLE'S ROOM, AND MY UNCLE IN IT.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
on one occasion
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
out-lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
by chance
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
precisely, exactly
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading MY UNCLE'S ROOM, AND MY UNCLE IN IT.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading MY UNCLE'S ROOM, AND MY UNCLE IN IT.
UNCLE'SnounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading MY UNCLE'S ROOM, AND MY UNCLE IN IT.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading It had been used for many things before my uncle's time--once as part of a small brewery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading My uncle was positive that, whether built for the purpose or not, it had been used as a chapel, and that the house was originally the out-lying cell of some convent.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
a Caucasian
From this reading At right angles to the long, black and white house, stood a building behind it, of possibly earlier date, but uncertain intent.
wonder-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The signs on which he founded this conclusion, I was never able to appreciate: to me, as containing my uncle's study, the wonder-house of my childhood, it was far more interesting than any history could have made it.
