used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
(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 On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The desk, wrenched away, hung by a single hinge.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
the two together, not just one
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The desk, wrenched away, hung by a single hinge.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading There were clothing, linen, and other effects unfolded, tossed about, and crumpled.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
crockerynounUS /ˈkrɑːkəri/
tableware (eating and serving dishes) collectively
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
crumpledadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌmpəld/
of metal e.g.
From this reading There were clothing, linen, and other effects unfolded, tossed about, and crumpled.
cupboardnounUS /ˈkʌbərd/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading The desk, wrenched away, hung by a single hinge.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/
property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
From this reading There were clothing, linen, and other effects unfolded, tossed about, and crumpled.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
hingenounUS /hɪndʒ/
a joint that holds two parts together so that one can swing relative to the other
From this reading The desk, wrenched away, hung by a single hinge.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The desk, wrenched away, hung by a single hinge.
inmostadjective
being deepest within the self
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
conformity or harmony
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading There were clothing, linen, and other effects unfolded, tossed about, and crumpled.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
not any; not one
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
ornamentalnounUS /ˌɔːrnəˈmentəl/
any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There were clothing, linen, and other effects unfolded, tossed about, and crumpled.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
recessesnounUS /ˈriːsesəz/
plural of “recess” — a state of abeyance or suspended business
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
precisely, exactly
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
rummagedverbUS /ˈrʌmɪdʒd/
past form of “rummage” — search haphazardly
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The desk, wrenched away, hung by a single hinge.
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/
very drunk
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were clothing, linen, and other effects unfolded, tossed about, and crumpled.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
the upper part of anything
From this reading On the other side of the fireplace, an old secretary with a marble top had been forced, broken, smashed into bits, and rummaged, no doubt, to its inmost recesses.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading There were clothing, linen, and other effects unfolded, tossed about, and crumpled.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
unfoldedverbUS /ənˈfoʊldɪd/
past form of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage
From this reading There were clothing, linen, and other effects unfolded, tossed about, and crumpled.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
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 On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
walnut-wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
wardrobesnounUS /ˈwɔːrdroʊbz/
plural of “wardrobe” — a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading At the end of the room, near the fireplace, a large cupboard used for keeping the crockery was wide open.
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 On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the right, against the wall, stood two handsome walnut-wood wardrobes, with ornamental locks; they were placed one on each side of the window; both were empty, and the contents scattered about on all sides.
wrenchedverbUS /rentʃt/
past form of “wrench” — twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates
From this reading The desk, wrenched away, hung by a single hinge.
