used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
adjoiningverbUS /əˈdʒɔɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
from appearances alone
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
lacking funds
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
not accessible to view
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
cushionnounUS /ˈkʊʃən/
a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
without deviation
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
dottedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːtəd/
having a pattern of dots
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
drapedadjectiveUS /dreɪpt/
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
ebonynounUS /ˈebəni/
a very dark black
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
efreet's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
emptinessnounUS /ˈemptinəs/
the state of containing nothing
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
coins made of gold
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
gold-lacquered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
identicaladjectiveUS /aɪˈdentɪkəl/
exactly alike; incapable of being perceived as different
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
incredibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredəbəl/
beyond belief or understanding
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
LAMPSnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
marmosetnounUS /ˈmɑːrməzet/
small soft-furred South American and Central American monkey with claws instead of nails
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
oppressverbUS /əˈpres/
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
pedestalsnounUS /ˈpedəstəlz/
plural of “pedestal” — a support or foundation
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
precisely, exactly
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
SHRINEnounUS /ʃraɪn/
a place of worship hallowed by association with some sacred thing or person
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
somberadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmbər/
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
starkadjectiveUS /stɑːrk/
devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
stoolsnounUS /stuːlz/
plural of “stool” — a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SHRINE OF SEVEN LAMPS Never can I forget that nightmare apartment, that efreet's hall.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no sign of the marmoset; the incredible room of black and gold was quite empty, with a sort of stark emptiness that seemed to oppress my soul.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
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 A golden curtain--similar to that which concealed me--broke the somber expanse of the end wall to my right, and the door directly opposite my hiding-place was closed.
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 It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was identical in shape with the room of the adjoining house through which I had come, but its walls were draped in somber black and a dead black carpet covered the entire floor.
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading Across the gold curtain, wrought in glittering black, were seven characters, apparently Chinese; before it, supported upon seven ebony pedestals, burned seven golden lamps; whilst, dotted about the black carpet, were seven gold-lacquered stools, each having a black cushion set before it.
