used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Leaning against the newel-post, Valiant gazed about him.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Leaning against the newel-post, Valiant gazed about him.
in the past
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
(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 How different it all looked from the night of his coming!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
be-all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
blinkedverbUS /blɪŋkt/
past form of “blink” — briefly shut the eyes
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading How different it all looked from the night of his coming!
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
creature-comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
Damory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading How different it all looked from the night of his coming!
end-allnoun
the ultimate goal
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
felicitynounUS /fɪˈlɪsəti/
pleasing and appropriate manner or style (especially manner or style of expression)
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
fire-dogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Leaning against the newel-post, Valiant gazed about him.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
hecticadjectiveUS /ˈhektɪk/
marked by intense agitation or emotion
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Leaning against the newel-post, Valiant gazed about him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How different it all looked from the night of his coming!
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How different it all looked from the night of his coming!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How different it all looked from the night of his coming!
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Leaning against the newel-post, Valiant gazed about him.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading How different it all looked from the night of his coming!
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
newel-post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaning against the newel-post, Valiant gazed about him.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading How different it all looked from the night of his coming!
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
and nothing more
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
parquetrynoun
a patterned wood inlay used to cover a floor
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
on the contrary
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
ValiantadjUS /ˈvæl.jənt/
Possessing or showing courage or determination; heroic. (Dũng cảm, quả cảm, anh hùng.)
From this reading Leaning against the newel-post, Valiant gazed about him.
wall-sconces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE CALL OF THE ROSES In the great hall at Damory Court the candles in their brass wall-sconces blinked back from the polished parquetry and the shining fire-dogs, filling the rather solemn gloom with an air of warmth and creature-comfort.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading It occurred to him with a kind of wonder that a fortnight ago he had never known this house existed.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading Then he had conceived the old hectic life the only one worth knowing, the be-all and end-all of modern felicity.
