used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
analyzeverbUS /ˈænəlaɪz/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
bed-chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
blinkingadjectiveUS /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ/
closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
bouquetnounUS /buːˈkeɪ/
an arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
combinationnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/
a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
drawn-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
put on clothes
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
divisible by two
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
forksnounUS /fɔːrks/
plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
frocknounUS /frɑːk/
a long, loose outer garment
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
geraniumsnounUS /dʒərˈeɪniəmz/
plural of “geranium” — any of numerous plants of the family Geraniaceae
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
Gerty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
ginghamnounUS /ˈɡɪŋəm/
a clothing fabric in a plaid weave
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
Innes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
and nothing more
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
many times at short intervals
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
and nothing more
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
partitionedverbUS /pɑːrˈtɪʃənd/
past form of “partition” — divide into parts, pieces, or sections
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
a light shade of red
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
redwoodnounUS /ˈredwʊd/
the soft reddish wood of either of two species of sequoia trees
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
precisely, exactly
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
segregatedadjectiveUS /ˈseɡrəɡeɪtɪd/
separated or isolated from others or a main group
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
sister-in-law's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
spoonsnounUS /spuːnz/
plural of “spoon” — a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
stalksnounUS /stɔːks/
plural of “stalk” — material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Her glance immediately segregated the three stalks of pink geraniums in the center of the Mexican drawn-work cloth that covered the table.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She had often tried to analyze her sister-in-law’s hold on her brother; certainly they were not happy.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
VENEERnounUS /vəˈnɪr/
coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gerty, herself, in a fresh pink gingham frock, was dancing around the table to the tune of forks and spoons.
water-starved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was just like Gerty to dress up to her setting, even though it were only a pitiful water-starved bouquet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
in the company of; together with
From this reading UNDER THE VENEER AN hour later Innes, blinking from the sun, stepped into the tent, which had been partitioned with rough redwood boards into a bed-chamber on the right, a combination dining-room and “parlor” on the left.
