adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
apparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/
from appearances alone
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
apronnounUS /ˈeɪprən/
a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
Baines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
CHRISTMASnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/
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 The weather was extremely cold.
ConstancenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəns/
a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
decidedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd/
recognizable; marked
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
dieverbUS /daɪ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
extremelyadverbUS /ekˈstriːmli/
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading The weather was extremely cold.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
fendernounUS /ˈfendər/
a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
fluenounUS /fluː/
flat bladelike projection on the arm of an anchor
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
furiousadjectiveUS /ˈfjʊriəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
FUTUREadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/
yet to be or coming
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
gentlyadverbUS /ˈdʒentli/
in a gradual manner
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
grownadjectiveUS /ɡroʊn/
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
harmoniumnounUS /hɑːrˈmoʊniəm/
a free-reeded instrument with a piano keyboard in which air is forced through the reeds by bellows
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
hassocknoun
thick cushion used as a seat
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
heatnounUS /hiːt/
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
hymnnounUS /hɪm/
a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
immenseadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmens/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
influencenounUS /ˈɪnfluːəns/
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
insensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsensəbəl/
incapable of physical sensation
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
mediaevaladjective
relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
mittened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
playingnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
Povey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
Povey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
rocking-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
shopkeepersnounUS /ˈʃɑːpkiːpərz/
plural of “shopkeeper” — a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Although the fire was immense and furious, its influence, owing to the fact that the mediaeval grate was designed to heat the flue rather than the room, seemed to die away at the borders of the fender.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
vagariesnounUS /ˈveɪɡəriz/
plural of “vagary” — an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CHRISTMAS AND THE FUTURE I Mr. Povey was playing a hymn tune on the harmonium, it having been decided that no one should go to chapel.
weathernounUS /ˈweðər/
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The weather was extremely cold.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mr. Povey's mittened hands were blue and red; but, like many shopkeepers, he had apparently grown almost insensible to vagaries of temperature.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Constance, in mourning, with a white apron over her dress, sat on a hassock in front of the fire; and near her, in a rocking-chair, Mrs. Baines swayed very gently to and fro.
