used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
adventurousadjectiveUS /ædˈventʃərəs/
willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
a youthful male person
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
constitutedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstətuːtəd/
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
far-offadjective
very far away in space or time
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
ground-flooradjective
on the floor closest to level with the ground
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
a social unit living together
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
landingnounUS /ˈlændɪŋ/
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
landingsnounUS /ˈlændɪŋz/
plural of “landing” — an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
a narrow way or road
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
laundrynounUS /ˈlɔːndri/
garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
set afire or burning
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
lowermostadjective
farthest down
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
precisely, exactly
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
uncarpetedadjective
not carpeted
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
precisely as stated
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But on the ground-floor of that part was the laundry, used in turn by every household in the entire house and regarded by the boy as a far-off, adventurous place until he had been allowed to visit it a couple of times.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At the foot of the lowermost flight of stairs was a long and dark passage that turned at a right angle and finally reached the lane after what seemed a long walk.
in or at the place that
From this reading The building facing the lane and that running along the courtyard had a stairway in common at the corner where they joined.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Its stairs and landings were of stone, uncarpeted, and lighted in the day by a window on each floor and at night by a single gas jet on each landing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The rear part of the house constituted practically a building by itself, with a stairway of its own, and the people living there seemed to form a world apart, with which Keith never became very well acquainted.
