used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
in the past
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
a youthful male person
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
boyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading BREAKFAST IN THE OLD HOMESTEAD.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
cherry-wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nelson Thrasher could not sleep under his father's roof.
coverletnoun
a decorative bedspread (usually quilted)
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
an opposing military force
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
the organ of sight
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Nelson Thrasher could not sleep under his father's roof.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nelson Thrasher could not sleep under his father's roof.
homelinessnoun
having a drab or dowdy quality; lacking stylishness or elegance
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
HOMESTEADnounUS /ˈhoʊmsted/
the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading BREAKFAST IN THE OLD HOMESTEAD.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BREAKFAST IN THE OLD HOMESTEAD.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
intrusionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːʒən/
any entry into an area not previously occupied
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
looking-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
NelsonnounUS /ˈnelsən/
English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)
From this reading Nelson Thrasher could not sleep under his father's roof.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nelson Thrasher could not sleep under his father's roof.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading BREAKFAST IN THE OLD HOMESTEAD.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
pitiedverbUS /ˈpɪtiːd/
inflected form of “pity” — share the suffering of
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
ragnounUS /ræɡ/
a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
reproachnounUS /riˈproʊtʃ/
a mild rebuke or criticism
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Nelson Thrasher could not sleep under his father's roof.
sadnessnounUS /ˈsædnəs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Nelson Thrasher could not sleep under his father's roof.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
be standing; be upright
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BREAKFAST IN THE OLD HOMESTEAD.
ThrashernounUS /ˈθræʃər/
a farm machine for separating seeds or grain from the husks and straw
From this reading Nelson Thrasher could not sleep under his father's roof.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
having come into contact
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Nelson Thrasher could not sleep under his father's roof.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
in or at the place that
From this reading The little looking-glass over the cherry-wood dressing stand, flashed upon him like a human eye angry and fierce at the intrusion of a guilty man where an innocent boy had slept.
a Caucasian
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The neat, high posted bed, with its blue and white coverlet that he had slept under in boyhood, was so familiar that it seemed to reproach him in its homeliness for the great change that had fallen on himself.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
a late time of life
From this reading As his foot touched the rag carpet, worn smooth by his light tread, years ago, the breath paused on his lips, and the stern face softened into sadness so deep, that his worst enemy might have pitied him.
