adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
adventureverbUS /ædˈventʃər/
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
alcovesnounUS /ˈælkoʊvz/
plural of “alcove” — a small recess opening off a larger room
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
AmuletnounUS /ˈæmjələt/
a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an old house; it had once been a fashionable one, and was a fine one still.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
Anthea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
ATLANTISnounUS /ætˈlæntɪs/
according to legend, an island in the Atlantic Ocean that Plato said was swallowed by an earthquake
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
BabyloniannounUS /ˌbæbəˈloʊniən/
an inhabitant of ancient Babylon
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
banisternounUS /ˈbænɪstər/
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
brieferadjectiveUS /ˈbriːfər/
comparative of “brief” — of short duration or distance
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
children's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
CyrilnounUS /ˈsɪrəl/
Greek missionary; the invention of the Cyrillic alphabet is attributed to him (826-869)
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
excellentadjectiveUS /ˈeksələnt/
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading It was an old house; it had once been a fashionable one, and was a fine one still.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading It was an old house; it had once been a fashionable one, and was a fine one still.
first-floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
flashverbUS /flæʃ/
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
formsnounUS /fɔːrmz/
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
fullyadverbUS /ˈfʊli/
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
gracefuladjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪsfəl/
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was an old house; it had once been a fashionable one, and was a fine one still.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an old house; it had once been a fashionable one, and was a fine one still.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
landingsnounUS /ˈlændɪŋz/
plural of “landing” — an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
lightningnounUS /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
mealsnounUS /miːlz/
plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
held or filled or in use
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was an old house; it had once been a fashionable one, and was a fine one still.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading It was an old house; it had once been a fashionable one, and was a fine one still.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
PastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
queennounUS /kwiːn/
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
railsnounUS /reɪlz/
a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
RobertnounUS /ˈrɑːbərt/
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
spendverbUS /spend/
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
statuesnounUS /ˈstætʃuːz/
plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading It was an old house; it had once been a fashionable one, and was a fine one still.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the dining-room, in the first-floor drawing-room, but most of all on the stairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
wonderfuladjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərfəl/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading But the children’s time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ATLANTIS You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London was the only one that had occupied any time at all.
