used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
(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 And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Come! another log upon the hearth.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
armfulnoun
the quantity that can be contained in the arms
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
chipsnounUS /tʃɪps/
strips of potato fried in deep fat
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
cleareradjectiveUS /ˈklɪrər/
comparative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Come! another log upon the hearth.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Come! another log upon the hearth.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
a social unit living together
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
knee-timbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
immediately past
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading Come! another log upon the hearth.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you.
Mermaid's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
mirthnounUS /mɜːrθ/
great merriment
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you.
Nahant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
namesakenounUS /ˈneɪmseɪk/
a person with the same name as another
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
relicsnounUS /ˈrelɪks/
plural of “relic” — an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you.
ruddiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
sitsverbUS /sɪts/
third-person singular of “sit” — be seated
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
ThanksgivingnounUS /ˌθæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ/
fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Come! another log upon the hearth.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
up to a particular time
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
TossverbUS /tɔːs/
throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Come! another log upon the hearth.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
in or at the place that
From this reading True, our little parlor is comfortable, especially here, where the old man sits in his old arm-chair; but on Thanksgiving night the blaze should dance high up the chimney, and send a shower of sparks into the outer darkness.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
but in spite of that
From this reading Higher yet, and clearer be the blaze, till our cottage windows glow the ruddiest in the village, and the light of our household mirth flash far across the bay to Nahant.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading And now, come, Susan, come, my children, draw your chairs round me, all of you.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Toss on an armful of those dry oak chips, the last relics of the Mermaid's knee-timbers, the bones of your namesake, Susan.
