used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
antiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
ariseverbUS /ərˈaɪz/
come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
birthrightnounUS /ˈbɜːrθraɪt/
a right or privilege that you are entitled to at birth
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
budsnounUS /bʌdz/
plural of “bud” — a partially opened flower
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
carousingadjectiveUS /kərˈaʊzɪŋ/
used of riotously drunken merrymaking
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
depriveverbUS /dɪˈpraɪv/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
having the place or position changed
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The idea of sleep was far from my mind.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The idea of sleep was far from my mind.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
ghostlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊstli/
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The idea of sleep was far from my mind.
and nothing more
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
miasmanounUS /miˈæzmə/
an unwholesome atmosphere
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The idea of sleep was far from my mind.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
a particular point in time
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
monarchsnounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrks/
plural of “monarch” — a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
mustyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌsti/
covered with or smelling of mold
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
a brief written record
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
and nothing more
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
orchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/
garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
paneledadjectiveUS /ˈpænəld/
fitted or decorated with panels or wainscoting
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
proclaimverbUS /proʊˈkleɪm/
declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
rappingverbUS /ˈræpɪŋ/
inflected form of “rap” — strike sharply
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading The idea of sleep was far from my mind.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
the season of growth
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
StuartnounUS /ˈstuːərt/
United States painter best known for his portraits of George Washington (1755-1828)
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
troublousadjective
full of trouble
From this reading This solitary window deeply set and overlooking the orchard upon which the secret stair was said to open, struck a note of more remote antiquity, casting back beyond the carousing days of the Stuart monarchs to the troublous time of the Middle Ages.
unaccountableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/
not to be accounted for or explained
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
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 The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The idea of sleep was far from my mind.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The attractive modern furniture of the room could not deprive the paneled walls of the musty antiquity which was their birthright.
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 EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE EAST TOWER With a cigarette between my lips I sat at the open window, looking out upon the skeleton trees of the orchard; for the buds of early spring were only just beginning to proclaim themselves.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading An air of ghostly evil had seemed to arise like a miasma within the house from the moment that we had been disturbed by the unaccountable rapping.
