used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
accordancenounUS /əˈkɔːrdəns/
concurrence of opinion
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
how long something has existed
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
bracedadjectiveUS /breɪst/
positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
candlesticknounUS /ˈkændəlstɪk/
a holder with sockets for candles
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
a period of 100 years
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
Challoner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
decanternoun
a bottle with a stopper; for serving wine or water
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
delicacynounUS /ˈdeləkəsi/
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
eighteenthadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the seventeenth in position
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
GeorgiannounUS /ˈdʒɔːrdʒən/
a native or resident of the American state of Georgia
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
destroyed or killed
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
conformity or harmony
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
LightingnounUS /ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
having abundant light or illumination
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
mahoganynounUS /məˈhɑːɡəni/
wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for cabinetwork and furniture
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
and nothing more
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
ordealnounUS /ɔːrˈdiːl/
a severe or trying experience
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
an amount of time
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
PROBLEMnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
Sandymere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
solemnitynounUS /səˈlemnəti/
a trait of dignified seriousness
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
SOLVINGnounUS /ˈsɑːlvɪŋ/
finding a solution to a problem
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The ceiling had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century, and the faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its period, helped to give the place a look of age.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself for the ordeal that must be faced.
wine-glasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its glistening surface was broken only by a decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
in the company of; together with
From this reading SOLVING THE PROBLEM Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the great mahogany table.
