used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
asylumnounUS /əˈsaɪləm/
a shelter from danger or hardship
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
bargainnounUS /ˈbɑːrɡən/
an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
Caledonian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
CrescentnounUS /ˈkresənt/
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
devilsnounUS /ˈdevəlz/
plural of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
one or the other of two
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
endeavouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
establishmentnounUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
the act of forming or establishing something
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
flatsnounUS /flæts/
footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
Greta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
Gurden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
incomenounUS /ˈɪnkʌm/
the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
insufficientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/
of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
lacquernounUS /ˈlækər/
a black resinous substance obtained from certain trees and used as a natural varnish
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
lunaticadjectiveUS /ˈluːnətɪk/
insane and believed to be affected by the phases of the moon
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
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 She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
ornamentedverbUS /ˈɔːrnəmentɪd/
past form of “ornament” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
Portman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
on the contrary
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
renovatedverbUS /ˈrenəveɪtɪd/
past form of “renovate” — restore to a previous or better condition
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Hers was one of those artistic little flats that reflected every taste but her own.
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
unsatisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsətɪˈsfæktəri/
not giving satisfaction
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
precisely as stated
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The apartment that Greta Gurden occupied was on the first floor of a house in Portman Crescent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
which person or people
From this reading She was one of the thousands who were endeavouring to keep an expensive establishment on an insufficient income.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Life is rather a tragedy for the lonely woman; there was a shadowy husband very much in the background, but he had either run away from her or was in a lunatic asylum or something equally unsatisfactory.
a late time of life
From this reading She slept in a red lacquer bed, ornamented by golden devils, a bargain acquired many years before in the Caledonian Market, and renovated by her own hands.
