used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
accountingnounUS /əˈkaʊntɪŋ/
a convincing explanation that reveals basic causes
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
barometernounUS /bərˈɑːmɪtər/
an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
boudoirnounUS /ˈbuːdɔɪr/
a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
bracingnounUS /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/
a structural member used to stiffen a framework
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
chillsnounUS /tʃɪlz/
plural of “chill” — coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
darkeningadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
disciplinenounUS /ˈdɪsəplən/
a branch of knowledge
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
discomfortnounUS /dɪˈskʌmfərt/
the state of being tense and feeling pain
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
doorstepnounUS /ˈdɔːrstep/
the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
opinion or judgment
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
start firing a weapon
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
frostsnounUS /frɔːsts/
plural of “frost” — ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
GEORGE'SnounUS /ˈdʒɔːrdʒəz/
possessive form of “george” — Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
hardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
Hulton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
and nothing more
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
piercingadjectiveUS /ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
piquancynoun
a tart spicy quality
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
the possibility of future success
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
rainstormsnounUS /ˈreɪnstɔːrmz/
plural of “rainstorm” — a storm with rain
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
move upward
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
sleetnounUS /sliːt/
partially melted snow (or a mixture of rain and snow)
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
smutsnoun
South African statesman and soldier (1870-1950)
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GEORGE’S EYES I Hilda sat alone in the boudoir, before the fire.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
tonicadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːnɪk/
of or relating to or producing normal tone or tonus in muscles or tissue
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
TownsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The hardy inhabitants of the Five Towns, Hilda among them, were bracing themselves to the discipline of winter, with its mud, increased smuts, sleet, and damp, piercing chills; and they were taking pleasure in the tonic prospect of discomfort.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
unsuitedadjectiveUS /ənˈsuːtɪd/
not easy to combine harmoniously
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
precisely as stated
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
a Caucasian
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
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 The November afternoon had passed into dusk, and through the window, over the roofs of Hulton Street, stars could be seen in a darkening clear sky.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading After a very sharp fall and rise of the barometer, accounting for heavy rainstorms, the first frosts were announced, and winter was on the doorstep.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading She had just come out of the kitchen, and she was wearing the white uniform of the kitchen, unsuited for a boudoir; but she wore it with piquancy.
