used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
associationsnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “association” — a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
darkened by smoke
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
Blair'snounUS /blerz/
possessive form of “blair” — British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
CongratulationsnounUS /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
absence of light or illumination
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
disgustverbUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
fill with distaste
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
distressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstresɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
DoricnounUS /ˈdɔːrɪk/
the dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Doris
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
exteriornounUS /ɪkˈstɪriər/
the region that is outside of something
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
facadenounUS /fəˈsɑːd/
the face or front of a building
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
a boy or man
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/
in a gay manner
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
be suspended or hanging
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
lengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈleŋθənd/
drawn out or made longer spatially
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
MercernounUS /ˈmɜːrsər/
a dealer in textiles (especially silks)
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
Mercer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
used to form the superlative
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
Nannie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
immediately following in time or order
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
poundverbUS /paʊnd/
hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
revivingadjectiveUS /rɪˈvaɪvɪŋ/
tending to impart new life and vigor to
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
Richie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
express in words
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
spasmnounUS /ˈspæzəm/
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
suitenounUS /swiːt/
a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "The hotel is pretty bad," he told Nannie, "but it's better than _this_."
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So he took the most expensive suite in the big, dark old River House that in those days was Mercer's best hotel.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The day after that distressing interview with his mother, he went gaily round to Mrs. Richie's to pound David on the back, and say "Congratulations, old fellow!
at the time that
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading After his first spasm of angry disgust, when he declared he would go East the next morning, Blair's fancy for "hanging round Mercer" hardened into purpose; but he did not "hang round" his mother's house.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Its blackened facade and the Doric columns of its entrance gave it a certain exterior dignity; and its interior comfort, combined with the reviving associations of youth, lengthened Blair's two or three days to a week, then to a fortnight.
