used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
absorptionnounUS /əbˈzɔːrpʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
(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 On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE CALL OF THE SEA," ETC.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
brignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
burgee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE CALL OF THE SEA," ETC.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
conch-shells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE CALL OF THE SEA," ETC.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
flankedverbUS /flæŋkt/
past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
foretruck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
intentnessnoun
the quality of being intent and concentrated
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/
inadequate in amount or degree
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
the literary culture
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
low-studded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
Medbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
mustyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌsti/
covered with or smelling of mold
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
neighbor'snounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
possessive form of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE CALL OF THE SEA," ETC.
oil-painting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
one of four equal parts
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE CALL OF THE SEA," ETC.
sea-fans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
having a supporting base
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
successive (without a break)
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE CALL OF THE SEA," ETC.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were sea-fans before the fireplace, flanked on each side by polished conch-shells.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The low-studded room in which he stood was closely shut and darkened, having about it the musty smell peculiar to old houses.
a Caucasian
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading On the wall hung an oil-painting of the brig _North Star_, with all sail set, and at her foretruck a white burgee, with her name in red letters, standing straight out in half a gale of wind.
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 For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading For a quarter of an hour Thomas Medbury had been standing at the east window of his mother's parlor, gazing out across his neighbor's yard with an eager intentness that betrayed a surprising absorption in a landscape without striking features and wholly lacking in any human interest.
