used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
abundantadjectiveUS /əˈbʌndənt/
present in great quantity
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
next to; at the side of
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
billetsnounUS /ˈbɪləts/
plural of “billet” — a short personal letter
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading You would not then have called her the “Ondine of Paris.”
chafedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪft/
painful from having the skin abraded
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
cheeryadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪri/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading What a contrast to Isaura’s dismantled chilly salon!
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading What a contrast to Isaura’s dismantled chilly salon!
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
dismantledadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmæntəld/
torn down and broken up
From this reading What a contrast to Isaura’s dismantled chilly salon!
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
easiestadjectiveUS /ˈiːziəst/
superlative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
easy-chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
fringesnounUS /ˈfrɪndʒɪz/
plural of “fringe” — the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
Gustave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading You would not then have called her the “Ondine of Paris.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
home-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
infinitelyadverbUS /ˈɪnfənətli/
without bounds
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
Isaura's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a contrast to Isaura’s dismantled chilly salon!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
Julie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
nicknacks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
not any; not one
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You would not then have called her the “Ondine of Paris.”
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
numbedverbUS /nʌmd/
past form of “numb” — make numb or insensitive
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
Ondine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would not then have called her the “Ondine of Paris.”
palmier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading You would not then have called her the “Ondine of Paris.”
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
salonnounUS /səˈlɑːn/
gallery where works of art can be displayed
From this reading What a contrast to Isaura’s dismantled chilly salon!
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
silksnounUS /sɪlks/
the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
tenderlyadverbUS /ˈtendərli/
with tenderness; in a tender manner
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In her palmier days, when he had first made her acquaintance, the apartment no doubt had been infinitely more splendid, more abundant in silks and fringes and flowers and nicknacks; but never had it seemed so cheery and comfortable and home-like as now.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading You would not then have called her the “Ondine of Paris.”
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
in the direction of
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
at the time that
From this reading “Ah, indeed! what a difference! what a difference!” said Gustave to himself when he entered Julie’s apartment.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading You would not then have called her the “Ondine of Paris.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You would not then have called her the “Ondine of Paris.”
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She drew him towards the hearth, on which, blazing though it was, she piled fresh billets, seated him in the easiest of easy-chairs, knelt beside him, and chafed his numbed hands in hers; and as her bright eyes fixed tenderly on his, she looked so young and so innocent!
