adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Lawson had left his Tintorets and Ming pots at home after all.
alabasternounUS /ˈæləbæstər/
a compact fine-textured, usually white gypsum used for carving
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
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 Lawson had left his Tintorets and Ming pots at home after all.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
anywhereadverbUS /ˈeniwer/
at or in or to any place
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lawson had left his Tintorets and Ming pots at home after all.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
bindingsnounUS /ˈbaɪndɪŋz/
plural of “binding” — the capacity to attract and hold something
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
ebonynounUS /ˈebəni/
a very dark black
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
figuresnounUS /ˈfɪɡjərz/
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lawson had left his Tintorets and Ming pots at home after all.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
half-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
Lawson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lawson had left his Tintorets and Ming pots at home after all.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Lawson had left his Tintorets and Ming pots at home after all.
librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/
a room where books are kept
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
mantelpiecenoun
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
MingnounUS /mɪŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644
From this reading Lawson had left his Tintorets and Ming pots at home after all.
moonnounUS /muːn/
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
multitudenounUS /ˈmʌltətuːd/
a large indefinite number
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/
plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
panelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
parquetnounUS /pɑːrˈkeɪ/
a floor made of parquetry
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading Lawson had left his Tintorets and Ming pots at home after all.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
shortlyadverbUS /ˈʃɔːrtli/
for a short time
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
soapstonenoun
a soft heavy compact variety of talc having a soapy feel; used to make hearths and tabletops and ornaments
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
teanounUS /tiː/
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
teaknounUS /tiːk/
hard strong durable yellowish-brown wood of teak trees; resistant to insects and to warping; used for furniture and in shipbuilding
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
Tintorets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lawson had left his Tintorets and Ming pots at home after all.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — 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 a long, low room, panelled in teak half-way up the walls, and the shelves held a multitude of fine bindings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The butler told me that his master was expected home shortly, and took me into the library for tea.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were good rugs on the parquet door, but no ornaments anywhere, save three.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
ZimbabwenounUS /zɪmˈbɑːbweɪ/
a landlocked republic in south central Africa formerly called Rhodesia; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1980
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
zodiacaladjective
relating to or included in the zodiac
From this reading On the carved mantelpiece stood two of the old soapstone birds which they used to find at Zimbabwe, and between, on an ebony stand, a half moon of alabaster, curiously carved with zodiacal figures.
