used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
airyadjectiveUS /ˈeri/
open to or abounding in fresh air
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
Anglo-Indiannoun
a person of English citizenship born or living in India
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
bangverbUS /bæŋ/
strike violently
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
blindsnounUS /blaɪndz/
plural of “blind” — people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
coal-scuttle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
one or the other of two
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
Emma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
expostulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
fire-irons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
Gabb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
heraldverbUS /ˈherəld/
foreshadow or presage
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
HILDEGARDE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LADY HILDEGARDE’S PHOTOGRAPH.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading LADY HILDEGARDE’S PHOTOGRAPH.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
lamplightnoun
light from a lamp
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
engage in
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
makeshifts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
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 Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
marvelousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
PHOTOGRAPHverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræf/
record on photographic film
From this reading LADY HILDEGARDE’S PHOTOGRAPH.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
semidarknessnoun
partial darkness
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
sketchyadjectiveUS /ˈsketʃi/
giving only major points; lacking completeness
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading By lamplight our little apartment did not look nearly so mean and shabby as by day.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She proceeded to dash down the blinds, bang the shutters, coal-scuttle, fire-irons, and finally the door.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
unsurpassedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsərˈpæst/
not capable of being improved on
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
precisely as stated
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
accept gladly
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
which person or people
From this reading Emma had marvelous taste in an airy, sketchy style—a taste which, she assured me, was common to many Anglo-Indian ladies, who were frequently compelled to make a very little furniture go a long way, and who were unsurpassed in the art of makeshifts.
belonging to which person
From this reading After waiting twenty minutes in semidarkness (poor people must exercise patience), the lamp—welcome herald of tea—was carried in by Mrs. Gabb, whose expressive countenance distinctly warned off either questions or expostulations.
