used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
abuttingverbUS /əˈbʌtɪŋ/
inflected form of “abut” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
(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 Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
aperturenounUS /ˈæpərtʃər/
a device that controls amount of light admitted
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
being joined in close association
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
a youthful male person
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
coarselyadverb
in coarse pieces
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
comprisedverbUS /kəmˈpraɪzd/
past form of “comprise” — be composed of
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
corksnounUS /kɔːrks/
plural of “cork” — outer bark of the cork oak; used for stoppers for bottles etc.
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
danglingnounUS /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
diminishingadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ/
becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
dressernounUS /ˈdresər/
furniture with drawers for keeping clothes
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
a social unit living together
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/
planned and made or fashioned artistically
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
festoons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
fissuredverbUS /ˈfɪʃərd/
past form of “fissure” — break into fissures or fine cracks
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
mendedverbUS /ˈmendɪd/
past form of “mend” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
netnounUS /net/
a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
partitionnounUS /pɑːrˈtɪʃən/
a vertical structure that divides or separates (as a wall divides one room from another)
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
proximitynounUS /prɑːkˈsɪməti/
the property of being close together
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
raftersnounUS /ˈræftərz/
plural of “rafter” — one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
sinksnounUS /sɪŋks/
plural of “sink” — plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
not in physical motion
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
stoolsnounUS /stuːlz/
plural of “stool” — a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two or three coarsely fashioned stools, a rickety table, and a still more rickety dresser comprised all the furniture.
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading A large net, attached to the rafters, hung down in heavy festoons overhead, the corks and sinks dangling in dangerous proximity to the heads underneath.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
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 It consisted of a single room, in the middle of which a mud wall of a few feet in height formed a sort of partition, abutting against which was the bed,--the one bed of the entire family,--now devoted to the guest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Although the cabin in which the sick boy lay was one of the best in the village, its interior presented a picture of great poverty.
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 The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The floor was uneven and fissured, and the solitary window was mended with an old hat,--thus diminishing the faint light which struggled through the narrow aperture.
