used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The bow-window was open and the honeysuckle breeze blew about him, lifting his hair and ruffling the leaves of the papers.
acquisitionnounUS /ˌækwəˈzɪʃən/
the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
next to; at the side of
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The bow-window was open and the honeysuckle breeze blew about him, lifting his hair and ruffling the leaves of the papers.
blue-bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
bow-window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bow-window was open and the honeysuckle breeze blew about him, lifting his hair and ruffling the leaves of the papers.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The bow-window was open and the honeysuckle breeze blew about him, lifting his hair and ruffling the leaves of the papers.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
bulldogverbUS /ˈbʊldɔːɡ/
attack viciously and ferociously
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
CassandranounUS /kəˈsændrə/
(Greek mythology) a prophetess in Troy during the Trojan War whose predictions were true but were never believed
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
coloredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərd/
having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
cotton-print
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
cownounUS /kaʊ/
female of domestic cattle: "“moo-cow” is a child's term"
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
Daphne'snounUS /ˈdæfniz/
possessive form of “daphne” — any of several ornamental shrubs with shiny mostly evergreen leaves and clusters of small bell-shaped flowers
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
dartingverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The bow-window was open and the honeysuckle breeze blew about him, lifting his hair and ruffling the leaves of the papers.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
honeysucklenounUS /ˈhʌnisʌkəl/
shrub or vine of the genus Lonicera
From this reading The bow-window was open and the honeysuckle breeze blew about him, lifting his hair and ruffling the leaves of the papers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
JEFFERSON'SnounUS /ˈdʒefərsənz/
possessive form of “jefferson” — 3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The bow-window was open and the honeysuckle breeze blew about him, lifting his hair and ruffling the leaves of the papers.
the literary culture
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
a room where books are kept
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading The bow-window was open and the honeysuckle breeze blew about him, lifting his hair and ruffling the leaves of the papers.
litternounUS /ˈlɪtər/
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
magazinenounUS /ˈmæɡəziːn/
a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
a female domestic
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
panicnounUS /ˈpænɪk/
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
proppedverbUS /prɑːpt/
inflected form of “prop” — support by placing against something solid or rigid
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
reading-stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
rufflingverbUS /ˈrʌfəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “ruffle” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples
From this reading The bow-window was open and the honeysuckle breeze blew about him, lifting his hair and ruffling the leaves of the papers.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
Southall's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
splotchnoun
an irregularly shaped spot
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
the rays of the sun
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
swing-clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading Outside a colored maid--a new acquisition of Aunt Daphne's--named Cassandra, black (in Doctor Southall's phrase) "as the inside of a cow," and dressed in a trim cotton-print "swing-clear," was sweeping the big porch.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
unheededadjectiveUS /ənˈhiːdɪd/
disregarded
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
ValiantadjUS /ˈvæl.jənt/
Possessing or showing courage or determination; heroic. (Dũng cảm, quả cảm, anh hùng.)
From this reading UNCLE JEFFERSON'S STORY John Valiant sat propped up on the library couch, an open magazine unheeded on his knee.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The reading-stand beside him was a litter of letters and papers.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading In one corner, in a splotch of bright sunshine, lay the bulldog, watching a strayed blue-bottle darting in panic hither and thither near the ceiling.
