Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

(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 Yet it would be unjust to the personal attractions of the Contessa to class them all under the word “prettiness.”

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

plural of “attraction” — the force by which one object attracts another

From this reading Yet it would be unjust to the personal attractions of the Contessa to class them all under the word “prettiness.”

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

a lady's bedroom or private sitting room

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

plural of “cabinet” — a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

a brightly printed and glazed cotton fabric

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Yet it would be unjust to the personal attractions of the Contessa to class them all under the word “prettiness.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

entailing great loss or sacrifice

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

in a delicate manner

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

ten 10s

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

relatively low in price or charging low prices

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

plural of “knickknack” — a small inexpensive mass-produced article

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

full of life and energy

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

not any; not one

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

and nothing more

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

a perceptual structure

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading Yet it would be unjust to the personal attractions of the Contessa to class them all under the word “prettiness.”

the quality of being appealing in a delicate or graceful way (of a girl or young woman)

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

plural of “rarity” — noteworthy scarcity

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

the quality of being simple or uncompounded

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

past form of “store” — keep or lay aside for future use

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

in a striking manner

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Yet it would be unjust to the personal attractions of the Contessa to class them all under the word “prettiness.”

in or at that place or location

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

coming next after the twenty-ninth in position

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Yet it would be unjust to the personal attractions of the Contessa to class them all under the word “prettiness.”

not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception

From this reading Yet it would be unjust to the personal attractions of the Contessa to class them all under the word “prettiness.”

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

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 The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

a Caucasian

From this reading The draperies were but of chintz, and the walls covered with the same material,--a lively pattern, in which the prevalents were rose-colour and white; but the ornaments on the mantelpiece, the china stored in the cabinets or arranged on the shelves, the small knickknacks scattered on the tables, were costly rarities of art.

which person or people

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Contessa di Rimini received her visitors in a boudoir furnished with much apparent simplicity, but a simplicity by no means inexpensive.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Yet it would be unjust to the personal attractions of the Contessa to class them all under the word “prettiness.”

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading “There is,” said a great French writer, “only one way in which a woman can be handsome, but a hundred thousand ways in which she can be pretty;” and it would be impossible to reckon up the number of ways in which Adeline di Rimini carried off the prize in prettiness.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The Contessa herself was a woman who had somewhat passed her thirtieth year,--not strikingly handsome, but exquisitely pretty.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet it would be unjust to the personal attractions of the Contessa to class them all under the word “prettiness.”