used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
andirons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading I threw down a book and knocked the ashes from my pipe.
BatesverbUS /beɪts/
third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading I threw down a book and knocked the ashes from my pipe.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
constellationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈleɪʃən/
an arrangement of parts or elements
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
demonstratedadjectiveUS /ˈdemənstreɪtɪd/
having been demonstrated or verified beyond doubt
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I threw down a book and knocked the ashes from my pipe.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
establishmentnounUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt/
the act of forming or establishing something
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I threw down a book and knocked the ashes from my pipe.
glacialadjectiveUS /ˈɡleɪʃəl/
relating to or derived from a glacier
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
habitableadjectiveUS /ˈhæbətəbəl/
fit for habitation
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
hallsnounUS /hɔːlz/
plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
heatedadjectiveUS /ˈhiːtəd/
made warm or hot (“het” is a dialectal variant of “heated”)
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading I threw down a book and knocked the ashes from my pipe.
a room where books are kept
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
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 The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
OLIVIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
the local environment
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading I threw down a book and knocked the ashes from my pipe.
relicnounUS /ˈrelɪk/
an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
precisely, exactly
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading I threw down a book and knocked the ashes from my pipe.
throngedadjectiveUS /θrɔːŋd/
filled with great numbers crowded together
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE PASSING OF OLIVIA Bates brought a great log and rolled it upon exactly the right spot on the andirons, and a great constellation of sparks thronged up the chimney.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old relic of a house—I called the establishment by many names, but this was, I think, my favorite—could be heated in all its habitable parts, as Bates had demonstrated.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The halls were of glacial temperature these cold days, but my room above, the dining-room and the great library were comfortable enough.
