used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
(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 Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
bustlingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/
full of energetic and noisy activity
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading MOLLIE'S DESPAIR.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
draughtyadjective
not airtight
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
hookedadjectiveUS /hʊkt/
curved down like an eagle's beak
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
incipientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪpiənt/
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
set afire or burning
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
MOLLIE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOLLIE'S DESPAIR.
mustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
narrating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
OleandernounUS /ˈoʊliændər/
an ornamental but poisonous flowering shrub having narrow evergreen leaves and clusters of fragrant white to pink or red flowers: native to East Indies but widely cultivated in warm regions
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
peelingnounUS /ˈpiːlɪŋ/
loss of bits of outer skin by peeling or shedding or coming off in scales
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
SallynounUS /ˈsæli/
witty remark
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
snaky-black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
make square
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
stew-pans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
transpiredverbUS /trænˈspaɪərd/
past form of “transpire” — pass through the tissue or substance or its pores or interstices, as of gas
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
on a floor above
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
volublyadverb
in a chatty manner
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
