adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
accustomedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌstəmd/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
arrangedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪndʒd/
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
bearskins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
branchesnounUS /ˈbræntʃəz/
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
centrenounUS /ˈsentər/
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
chiffoniernoun
a tall elegant chest of drawers
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
clubnounUS /klʌb/
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
cotillons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
crystalnounUS /ˈkrɪstəl/
a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
cupnounUS /kʌp/
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
cushionsnounUS /ˈkʊʃənz/
plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
deadenedadjective
devoid of physical sensation; numb
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
dimadjectiveUS /dɪm/
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
favorsnounUS /ˈfeɪvərz/
plural of “favor” — an act of gracious kindness
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
firelightnoun
the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
hangingnounUS /ˈhæŋɪŋ/
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
lightedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəd/
set afire or burning
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
lightsnounUS /laɪts/
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
lilacsnounUS /ˈlaɪlæks/
plural of “lilac” — any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
objectsnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekts/
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
obscuritynounUS /əbsˈkjʊrəti/
the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
OrientverbUS /ˈɔːrient/
be oriented
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
palpitatedverbUS /ˈpælpəteɪtɪd/
past form of “palpitate” — cause to throb or beat rapidly
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
plaquenounUS /plæk/
(pathology) a small abnormal patch on or inside the body
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
porcelainnounUS /ˈpɔːrsələn/
ceramic ware made of a more or less translucent ceramic
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
portieres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
prizenounUS /praɪz/
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
RobertnounUS /ˈrɑːbərt/
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
rosewoodnounUS /ˈroʊzwʊd/
hard dark reddish wood of a rosewood tree having a strongly marked grain; used in cabinetwork
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
sportingadjectiveUS /ˈspɔːrtɪŋ/
exhibiting or calling for sportsmanship or fair play
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
surmountedadjectiveUS /sərˈmaʊntɪd/
having something on top
From this reading The rosewood chiffonier was surmounted by a silver cup, a prize from some sporting club.
swordsnounUS /sɔːrdz/
plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
Therese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Therese and Robert, their eyes accustomed to obscurity, moved easily among these familiar objects.
vasenounUS /veɪs/
an open jar of glass or porcelain used as an ornament or to hold flowers
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He lighted a cigarette while she arranged her hair, standing before the mirror, in a corner so dim she could hardly see herself.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading On a porcelain plaque, in the centre of the table, stood a crystal vase which held branches of white lilacs; and lights palpitated in the warm shadows.
wintersnounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
plural of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading In the little shadowy room, where sound was deadened by curtains, portieres, cushions, bearskins, and carpets from the Orient, the firelight shone on glittering swords hanging among the faded favors of the cotillons of three winters.
