used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
AlpineadjectiveUS /ˈælpaɪn/
relating to or characteristic of alps
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
blinkingadjectiveUS /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ/
closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
casements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
country-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
drowsilyadverb
in a drowsy manner
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
half-awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
ice-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
full of life and energy
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
rollersnounUS /ˈroʊlərz/
plural of “roller” — a grounder that rolls along the infield
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
silencesnounUS /ˈsaɪlənsɪz/
plural of “silence” — the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
slitsnounUS /slɪts/
plural of “slit” — a long narrow opening
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
StaplenounUS /ˈsteɪpəl/
(usually in the plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
the rays of the sun
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
thrustingnounUS /ˈθrʌstɪŋ/
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
unfamiliaradjectiveUS /ˌʌnfəˈmɪljər/
not known or well known
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
waveringnounUS /ˈweɪvərɪŋ/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
in or at the place that
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a hard frost abroad, and the stillness which reigned over the ice-bound country-side reminded her of the big Alpine silences.
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 She jumped out of bed and, rattling up the blinds on their rollers, peered out of the window.
window-blinds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
wintryadjectiveUS /ˈwɪntri/
characteristic of or occurring in winter
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Gradually, however, recollection returned to her, and with it a lively curiosity to view Staple by daylight.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading JEAN woke to find the chill, wintry sunlight thrusting in long fingers through the space between the casements and the edges of the window-blinds.
showing curiosity
From this reading At first the unfamiliar look of a strange bedroom puzzled her, and she lay blinking drowsily at the wavering slits of light, wondering in vague, half-awake fashion where she was.
