adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
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 They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
canesnounUS /keɪnz/
plural of “cane” — a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
designsnounUS /dɪˈzaɪnz/
plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
drawingsnounUS /ˈdrɔːɪŋz/
plural of “drawing” — an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
executionnounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃən/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
fancifuladjectiveUS /ˈfænsɪfəl/
indulging in or influenced by fancy
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
GermanynounUS /ˈdʒɜːrməni/
a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
HamburgnounUS /ˈhæmbərɡ/
a port city in northern Germany on the Elbe River that was founded by Charlemagne in the 9th century and is today the largest port in Germany; in 1241 it formed an alliance with Lubeck that became the basis for the Hanseatic League
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
handlesnounUS /ˈhændəlz/
plural of “handle” — the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
hangingnounUS /ˈhæŋɪŋ/
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
instrumentsnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənts/
plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
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 They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
meantverbUS /ment/
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
mouth-pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
ornamentverbUS /ˈɔːrnəmənt/
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
ornamentalnounUS /ˌɔːrnəˈmentəl/
any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
picturenounUS /ˈpɪktʃər/
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
pleasedadjectiveUS /pliːzd/
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
portraitnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrət/
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
prettieradjectiveUS /ˈprɪtiər/
comparative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
sortsnounUS /sɔːrts/
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
surroundedadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪd/
confined on all sides
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The arrangement was so ingenious, the designs so fanciful, and the execution so good, that nothing could be prettier.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
umbrellasnounUS /əmˈbreləz/
plural of “umbrella” — a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
whalebonenoun
a horny material from the upper jaws of certain whales; used as the ribs of fans or as stays in corsets
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what of course was of the most importance, was the face and head that they were meant to ornament.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
whipverbUS /wɪp/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading One day I went to visit a friend, a lady, who came from Hamburg, in Germany.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading They consisted of whip handles, canes, piano keys, mouth-pieces for wind instruments, all sorts of umbrellas, and many more things, of every sort, made of cane and whalebone.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was much pleased with a portrait which was hanging up in her room, and I was particularly struck by the ornamental drawings with which the picture was surrounded.
