used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
anew
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
ancestraladjectiveUS /ænˈsestrəl/
inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
archesnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃəz/
plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE BALL AT HOUGHTON.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading THE BALL AT HOUGHTON.
balustrades
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
boudoirs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
breadthnounUS /bredθ/
the capacity to understand a broad range of topics
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
brightenverbUS /ˈbraɪtən/
make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
brightestadjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtəst/
superlative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
Carset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
being joined in close association
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
conservatoriesnounUS /kənˈsɜːrvətɔːriz/
plural of “conservatory” — the faculty and students of a school specializing in one of the fine arts
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
draperiesnounUS /ˈdreɪpəriz/
plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
duplicatedverbUS /ˈduːplɪkeɪtɪd/
past form of “duplicate” — make or do or perform again
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
exotics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
grandeurnounUS /ɡrænˈduːr/
the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
honorsnounUS /ˈɑːnərz/
plural of “honor” — a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
hot-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
HOUGHTONnounUS /ˈhɔːtən/
United States publisher who founded a printing shop that became an important book publisher (1823-1895)
From this reading THE BALL AT HOUGHTON.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
immediately past
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
oakenadjective
consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
a human being
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
saloonsnounUS /səˈluːnz/
plural of “saloon” — a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
softenverbUS /ˈsɑːfən/
make (images or sounds) soft or softer
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BALL AT HOUGHTON.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
treasuresnounUS /ˈtreʒərz/
plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The conservatories had been stripped that night, that their treasures of rare exotics might brighten the splendor of those rooms, and soften the ancestral grandeur of the vast entrance hall.
vistanounUS /ˈvɪstə/
the visual percept of a region
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The night arrived at last in which Lady Carset was to do the honors of her own castle, and receive the highest and brightest of the land in person.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading They wound in massive wreaths around the carved balustrades of that broad oaken staircase--were duplicated over and over again in the height and breadth of those noble mirrors.
wreathsnounUS /riːθs/
plural of “wreath” — flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
From this reading A range of boudoirs and saloons, connected with the state drawing-room, were thrown together, and united in one splendid vista by silken draperies and hot-house plants, which formed noble wreaths and arches over each entrance, filling room after room with brightness and fragrance.
