adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
adaptedadjectiveUS /əˈdæptɪd/
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
adornedadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrnd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
alterationsnounUS /ˌɔːltərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “alteration” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading The ceiling is arched and lofty, and at one end is a gallery in which stands an organ.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading The ceiling is arched and lofty, and at one end is a gallery in which stands an organ.
chaseverbUS /tʃeɪs/
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
civilitynounUS /səˈvɪləti/
formal or perfunctory politeness
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
communicativenessnoun
the trait of being communicative
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
courteouslyadverb
in a polite manner
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The ceiling is arched and lofty, and at one end is a gallery in which stands an organ.
entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
every-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/
at a previous time
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading The ceiling is arched and lofty, and at one end is a gallery in which stands an organ.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
lateraladjectiveUS /ˈlætərəl/
situated at or extending to the side
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading The ceiling is arched and lofty, and at one end is a gallery in which stands an organ.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
manor-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
modesnounUS /moʊdz/
plural of “mode” — how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
oakenadjective
consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The ceiling is arched and lofty, and at one end is a gallery in which stands an organ.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
organnounUS /ˈɔːrɡən/
a fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function
From this reading The ceiling is arched and lofty, and at one end is a gallery in which stands an organ.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
portalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəl/
a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/
plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
prowlingverbUS /ˈpraʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “prowl” — move about in or as if in a predatory manner
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
retainsverbUS /rɪˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “retain” — hold back within
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
ShakespearenounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːr/
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
standsnounUS /stændz/
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading The ceiling is arched and lofty, and at one end is a gallery in which stands an organ.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
tastesnounUS /teɪsts/
plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
trophiesnounUS /ˈtroʊfiz/
plural of “trophy” — an award for success in war or hunting
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
undergoneverbUS /ˌʌndərˈɡɔːn/
inflected form of “undergo” — pass through
From this reading The greater part has undergone alterations and been adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old oaken staircase, and the great hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading I was courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house.
