used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It had been an ideal Christmas Day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been an ideal Christmas Day.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
berriesnounUS /ˈberiz/
plural of “berry” — any of numerous small and pulpy edible fruits; used as desserts or in making jams and jellies and preserves
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
Betty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
burnishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
give encouragement to
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It had been an ideal Christmas Day.
put on clothes
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
embodimentnounUS /emˈbɑːdimənt/
a new personification of a familiar idea
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
fingeringnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərɪŋ/
the placement of the fingers for playing different notes (or sequences of notes) on a musical instrument
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
framesnounUS /freɪmz/
plural of “frame” — the framework for a pair of eyeglasses
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
gildedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪldɪd/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been an ideal Christmas Day.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
harpnounUS /hɑːrp/
a chordophone that has a triangular frame consisting of a sounding board and a pillar and a curved neck; the strings stretched between the neck and the soundbox are plucked with the fingers
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
hollynounUS /ˈhɑːli/
any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
hundredthnounUS /ˈhʌndrədθ/
position 100 in a countable series of things
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading It had been an ideal Christmas Day.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been an ideal Christmas Day.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
set afire or burning
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
LLOYDnounUS /lɔɪd/
United States comic actor in silent films; he used physical danger as a source of comedy (1893-1971)
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
not any; not one
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
panenounUS /peɪn/
sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/
plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
PROGRESSIVEadjectiveUS /prəˈɡresɪv/
favoring or promoting progress
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
ruddyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌdi/
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
stringsnounUS /strɪŋz/
the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
warmlyadverbUS /ˈwɔːrmli/
in a hearty manner
From this reading It shone warmly on the frames of the portraits and the tall gilded harp with its shining strings, and gave a burnishing touch to Betty's brown hair, as she stood by the piano, fingering for the hundredth time the presents she had received that day.
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
a Caucasian
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
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 A PROGRESSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY LLOYD stood at the window in the falling twilight and looked out across the snow.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading She could feel the chill of the white winter world outside as she leaned against the frosty pane, but in her scarlet dress, with the holly berries at her belt and in her hair, she looked the embodiment of Christmas warmth and cheer, and as if no cold could touch her.
but in spite of that
From this reading The candles had not yet been lighted, but the room was filled with the ruddy glow of the big wood fire.
