Chapter XIV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

how long something has existed

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

a deep yellow color

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

a region of northern Africa on the Mediterranean coast between Egypt and Gibraltar; was used as a base for pirates from the 16th to 19th centuries

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Here and there were a few books.

with brightness

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

plural of “cabinet” — a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

without care or concern

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

plural of “carving” — a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

plural of “casket” — box in which a corpse is buried or cremated

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

Italian sculptor (1500-1571)

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

an early stringed instrument like a piano but with more delicate sound

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

a natural object that covers or envelops

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

plural of “crystal” — a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

softened by the addition of cushions or padding

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

glazed earthenware decorated with opaque colors

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Here and there were a few books.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

start firing a weapon

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

a frame of iron bars to hold a fire

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Here and there were a few books.

the act of retaining something

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

plural of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

a substance for packing a joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious to gas or liquid

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

strange in an interesting or pleasing way

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

possessive form of “queen” — 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 Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

a simple seat without a back or arms

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Here and there were a few books.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

plural of “vas” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

the provincial capital of Veneto; built on 118 islands within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice; has canals instead of streets; one of Italy's major ports and a famous tourist attraction

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

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 Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading THE WIDOW OF FRANCE IT was a small room, the curtains at the windows were drawn, and a fire burned brightly in the grate.

having wings or as if having wings of a specified kind

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

in the company of; together with

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the writing-table, a winged Mercury, the work of Benvenuto Cellini, held a lamp which filled the room with its amber light.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading On the polished oak of the floor, black with age, were scattered rare eastern carpets, low, cushioned seats, carved tables, and cabinets, holding those delicate and elegant trifles a woman loves--strange carvings, crystals of Venice, rare articles of _faience_, caskets, and vases wrought in quaint designs.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading Near the window was a clavichord, and hard by it was a lute left carelessly on a stool, whilst Nambu, the Queen’s Barbary ape, slept profoundly on the yellow satin cushions covering the window-seat.