used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
aboundedverbUS /əˈbaʊndɪd/
past form of “abound” — be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading The chosen corner certainly had the advantage of privacy.
alcovenounUS /ˈælkoʊv/
a small recess opening off a larger room
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
in addition
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
aperturenounUS /ˈæpərtʃər/
a device that controls amount of light admitted
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
boastedverbUS /ˈboʊstəd/
past form of “boast” — show off
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The man was laughing a little below his breath.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The chosen corner certainly had the advantage of privacy.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading The chosen corner certainly had the advantage of privacy.
coignnoun
expandable metal or wooden wedge used by printers to lock up a form within a chase
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
permission to do something
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The chosen corner certainly had the advantage of privacy.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
crowdingnounUS /ˈkraʊdɪŋ/
a situation in which people or things are crowded together
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
filteredverbUS /ˈfɪltərd/
past form of “filter” — remove by passing through a filter
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The chosen corner certainly had the advantage of privacy.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man was laughing a little below his breath.
hostelrynoun
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
and nothing more
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading The man was laughing a little below his breath.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The man was laughing a little below his breath.
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 It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man was laughing a little below his breath.
mutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/
common to or shared by two or more parties
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The chosen corner certainly had the advantage of privacy.
on one occasion
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
and nothing more
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
privacynounUS /ˈpraɪvəsi/
the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others
From this reading The chosen corner certainly had the advantage of privacy.
refreshment-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
setteenoun
a long wooden bench with a back
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
spyverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
make square
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The chosen corner certainly had the advantage of privacy.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
throngedadjectiveUS /θrɔːŋd/
filled with great numbers crowded together
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
in the direction of
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
vantagenounUS /ˈvæntədʒ/
place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)
From this reading An ancient settee had been placed in this coign of vantage, and upon this they established themselves by mutual consent.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
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 It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
which person or people
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
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 It was an alcove at the end of one of the long narrow passages in which the ancient hostelry abounded, and the only light it boasted filtered through a square aperture in the wall which once had held a window.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Through this aperture the curious could spy into the hall below, which just then was thronged with dancers who were crowding out of the ballroom and drifting towards the refreshment-room, the entrance to which was also visible.
