adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
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 Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
attitudenounUS /ˈætətuːd/
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
basketnounUS /ˈbæskət/
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading She was triumphant and breathless.
burstverbUS /bɜːrst/
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
carryingverbUS /ˈkæriɪŋ/
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
climbedverbUS /klaɪmd/
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
ConstancenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəns/
a lake in southeastern Germany on the northern side of the Swiss Alps; forms part of the Rhine River
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
depositedverbUS /dəˈpɑːzɪtɪd/
past form of “deposit” — put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
ENDnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
failedverbUS /feɪld/
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
floornounUS /flɔːr/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
Fossette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
heavinessnoun
the property of being comparatively great in weight
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
listenernounUS /ˈlɪsənər/
someone who listens attentively
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
ninenounUS /naɪn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
persuadeverbUS /pərˈsweɪd/
win approval or support for
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
ScalesnounUS /skeɪlz/
plural of “scale” — an ordered reference standard
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
SOPHIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
SquareverbUS /skwer/
make square
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/
having a sharp inclination
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
triumphantadjectiveUS /traɪˈʌmfənt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading She was triumphant and breathless.
UpadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
violencenounUS /ˈvaɪələns/
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/
in a violent manner
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
weightedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪtɪd/
made heavy or weighted down with weariness
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
