adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
appreciationnounUS /əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃən/
understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
bellnounUS /bel/
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
Brewster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brewster regarded her surroundings with inward satisfaction.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
buzzverbUS /bʌz/
make a buzzing sound
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
cabinetsnounUS /ˈkæbənəts/
plural of “cabinet” — a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
captiousadjective
tending to find and call attention to faults
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
clocknounUS /klɑːk/
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
ColonelnounUS /ˈkɜːrnəl/
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
criticnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪk/
a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis and interpretation of works of art
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
curiosnounUS /ˈkjʊrioʊz/
plural of “curio” — something unusual -- perhaps worthy of collecting
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
embroiderynounUS /emˈbrɔɪdəri/
elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
evidencenounUS /ˈevədəns/
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
failedverbUS /feɪld/
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
faultnounUS /fɔːlt/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
furniturenounUS /ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər/
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
growingnounUS /ˈɡroʊɪŋ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
handsomeadjectiveUS /ˈhænsəm/
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
hangingsnounUS /ˈhæŋɡɪŋz/
plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Brewster regarded her surroundings with inward satisfaction.
high-ceilingedadjective
having a higher than normal ceiling
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading Mrs. Brewster regarded her surroundings with inward satisfaction.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
McIntyre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
McIntyre's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Brewster regarded her surroundings with inward satisfaction.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
paintingsnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋz/
plural of “painting” — graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The hands of the clock had passed the hour of five before the buzz of a distant bell brought her to her feet.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
rareadjectiveUS /rer/
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
regardedverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Mrs. Brewster regarded her surroundings with inward satisfaction.
richadjectiveUS /rɪtʃ/
possessing material wealth
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
satisfactionnounUS /ˌsætəˈsfækʃən/
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Mrs. Brewster regarded her surroundings with inward satisfaction.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading Mrs. Brewster regarded her surroundings with inward satisfaction.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
tapestriesnounUS /ˈtæpəstriz/
plural of “tapestry” — something that resembles a tapestry in its intricacy
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
valuableadjectiveUS /ˈvæljəbəl/
having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
VenetiannounUS /vəˈniːʃən/
a resident of Venice
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Mrs. Brewster had never failed, during her visit to the McIntyre twins, to examine the rare curios in the carved cabinets and the tapestries on the walls, but that afternoon, with one eye on the clock and the other on her embroidery, she sat waiting in growing impatience for the interruption she anticipated.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The handsome carved Venetian furniture, the rich hangings and valuable paintings on the walls gave evidence of Colonel McIntyre's artistic taste and appreciation of the beautiful.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
widownounUS /ˈwɪdoʊ/
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Brewster regarded her surroundings with inward satisfaction.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would have taken a far more captious critic than the pretty widow to find fault with the large, high-ceilinged room in which she sat.
