used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading It was empty, forlorn, and apparently abandoned.
anew
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was empty, forlorn, and apparently abandoned.
from appearances alone
From this reading It was empty, forlorn, and apparently abandoned.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
connubialadjective
of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
DamenounUS /deɪm/
informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
desolateness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
DoolittlenounUS /ˈduːlɪtəl/
United States Air Force officer who electrified the world in 1942 by leading a squadron of 16 bombers on a daylight raid over Tokyo (1896-1993)
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
make void or empty of contents
From this reading It was empty, forlorn, and apparently abandoned.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
forlornadjectiveUS /fərˈlɔːrn/
marked by or showing hopelessness
From this reading It was empty, forlorn, and apparently abandoned.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
destroyed or killed
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was empty, forlorn, and apparently abandoned.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
JonathannounUS /ˈdʒɑːnəθən/
red late-ripening apple; primarily eaten raw
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
mendedverbUS /ˈmendɪd/
past form of “mend” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
a particular point in time
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
overcameverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “overcome” — win a victory over
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
coated with paint
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
petticoatsnounUS /ˈpetikoʊts/
plural of “petticoat” — undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
express in words
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading He now hurried forth, and hastened to his old resort, the village inn--but it too was gone.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was empty, forlorn, and apparently abandoned.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
WinkleverbUS /ˈwɪŋkəl/
emit or reflect light in a flickering manner
From this reading He entered the house, which, to tell the truth, Dame Van Winkle had always kept in neat order.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This desolateness overcame all his connubial fears--he called loudly for his wife and children--the lonely chambers rang for a moment with his voice, and then all again was silence.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading A large rickety wooden building stood in its place, with great gaping windows, some of them broken and mended with old hats and petticoats, and over the door was painted, "the Union Hotel, by Jonathan Doolittle."
