used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
baizenounUS /beɪz/
a bright green fabric napped to resemble felt; used to cover gaming tables
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
intentionally conceived
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
gotten under control
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
cosilyadverb
in a cozy manner
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading The couple entered and seated themselves.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The couple entered and seated themselves.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
Forster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
Forster's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
a room where books are kept
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
Madeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
literature in metrical form
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
recreationnounUS /ˌrekriˈeɪʃən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading The couple entered and seated themselves.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The couple entered and seated themselves.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
precisely as stated
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Forster’s study was the smallest room in the mansion, furnished very plainly but cosily, and shut off by two baize doors from the rest of the house.
water-colournoun
water-soluble pigment
From this reading It contained, besides the ordinary furniture, a few favourite pictures in water-colour, and a small number of books, selected from the shelves of the library.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Here Forster spent many a pleasant evening, following those studies in early English poetry and literature which were his chief recreation.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Madeline had her eyes fixed thoughtfully on the fire, but she was fully conscious that her husband, leaning back in his writing chair, had his eyes intently upon her face.
