adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GILLIAN INTERCEDES It was a bald, austere-looking room.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/
the state of being absent
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
accustomedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌstəmd/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
acutelyadverbUS /əˈkjuːtli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
attirenounUS /əˈtaɪər/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading By contrast with the severity of the room Magda felt uncomfortably conscious of her own attire.
austereadjectiveUS /ɔːˈstɪr/
severely simple
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
austere-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GILLIAN INTERCEDES It was a bald, austere-looking room.
baldadjectiveUS /bɔːld/
with no effort to conceal
From this reading GILLIAN INTERCEDES It was a bald, austere-looking room.
bareadjectiveUS /ber/
completely unclothed
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
bucklesnounUS /ˈbʌkəlz/
plural of “buckle” — fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By contrast with the severity of the room Magda felt uncomfortably conscious of her own attire.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
chairsnounUS /tʃerz/
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
consciousadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnʃəs/
intentionally conceived
From this reading By contrast with the severity of the room Magda felt uncomfortably conscious of her own attire.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading By contrast with the severity of the room Magda felt uncomfortably conscious of her own attire.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
curvedadjectiveUS /kɜːrvd/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
desknounUS /desk/
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/
weak from exhaustion
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
easeverbUS /iːz/
move gently or carefully
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
EverythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading By contrast with the severity of the room Magda felt uncomfortably conscious of her own attire.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
formal-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
GILLIAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GILLIAN INTERCEDES It was a bald, austere-looking room.
glancedverbUS /ɡlænst/
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
gownnounUS /ɡaʊn/
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
hatnounUS /hæt/
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
heelsnounUS /hiːlz/
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
INTERCEDES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GILLIAN INTERCEDES It was a bald, austere-looking room.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading GILLIAN INTERCEDES It was a bald, austere-looking room.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
LouisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
Magda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
meticulouslyadverbUS /məˈtɪkjələsli/
in a meticulous manner
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading By contrast with the severity of the room Magda felt uncomfortably conscious of her own attire.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
plumeverbUS /pluːm/
rip off; ask an unreasonable price
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
poignantlyadverbUS /ˈpɔɪnjəntli/
in a poignant or touching manner
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
procureverbUS /proʊˈkjʊr/
get by special effort
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
remotelyadverbUS /riˈmoʊtli/
in a remote manner
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
resemblingverbUS /rɪˈzembəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading GILLIAN INTERCEDES It was a bald, austere-looking room.
scrupulouslyadverbUS /ˈskruːpjələsli/
with extreme conscientiousness
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
severitynounUS /sɪˈverɪti/
used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
From this reading By contrast with the severity of the room Magda felt uncomfortably conscious of her own attire.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
shoesnounUS /ʃuːz/
a particular situation
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
straight-backedadjective
having a straight back
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
tidyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪdi/
marked by order and cleanliness in appearance or habits
From this reading Magda glanced about her curiously--at the plain, straight-backed chairs, at the meticulously tidy desk and bare, polished floor.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
uncomfortablyadverbUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in physical discomfort
From this reading By contrast with the severity of the room Magda felt uncomfortably conscious of her own attire.
unlimitedadjectiveUS /ənˈlɪmətɪd/
having no limits in range or scope
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GILLIAN INTERCEDES It was a bald, austere-looking room.
wearingnounUS /ˈwerɪŋ/
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading The exquisite gown she was wearing, the big velvet hat with its drooping plume, the French shoes with their buckles and curved Louis heels--all seemed acutely out of place in this austere, formal-looking chamber.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Everything was scrupulously clean, but the total absence of anything remotely resembling luxury struck poignantly on eyes accustomed to all the ease and beauty of surroundings which unlimited money can procure.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading By contrast with the severity of the room Magda felt uncomfortably conscious of her own attire.
