used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With an effort, he steadied himself.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
ByronnounUS /ˈbaɪrən/
English romantic poet notorious for his rebellious and unconventional lifestyle (1788-1824)
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
conquerverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkər/
bring under control by force or authority
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
covertnounUS /ˈkoʊvərt/
a flock of coots
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading With an effort, he steadied himself.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
foot-cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sabina had taken a housewifely pride in this bed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
headcloths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading With an effort, he steadied himself.
hostilitynounUS /hɑːˈstɪləti/
a hostile (very unfriendly) disposition
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
housewifelyadjective
related or suited to a housewife
From this reading Sabina had taken a housewifely pride in this bed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
impressedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprest/
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sabina had taken a housewifely pride in this bed.
inanimateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnænəmət/
belonging to the class of nouns denoting nonliving things
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
malignancynounUS /məˈlɪɡnənsi/
(medicine) a malignant state; progressive and resistant to treatment and tending to cause death
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
paddedadjectiveUS /ˈpædɪd/
softened by the addition of cushions or padding
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading Sabina had taken a housewifely pride in this bed.
rendverb
tear or be torn violently
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
Sabina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sabina had taken a housewifely pride in this bed.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
smashverbUS /smæʃ/
hit hard
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
the season of growth
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
steadiedadjectiveUS /ˈstedid/
made steady or constant
From this reading With an effort, he steadied himself.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Sabina had taken a housewifely pride in this bed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Sabina had taken a housewifely pride in this bed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
in the direction of
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
valances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every spring it had been stripped of curtains and valances, of ceiling and headcloths and of padded foot-cover.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
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 Before him, vast and shadowy, the great bed of ’Old Squire’ stood out from the wall and Byron turned towards it with a tread that shook the ancient floor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The covert malignancy of these shining and familiar faces impressed Byron, but a man can conquer the inanimate, he can rend and smash and burn; at least he can if, aware of hostility, he were careful to strike first.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With an effort, he steadied himself.
