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A Fortunate Term
A Fortunate Term

Chapter V

Cover illustration for A Fortunate Term
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.
It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.
It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.
To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.
Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Fortunate Term

Chapter V

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.
Line 2
It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.
Line 3
It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.
Line 4
To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.
Line 5
Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.”

Scent noun US /sɛnt/

A distinctive smell or aroma.

From this reading “It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.”

All words in this reading · 96

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

air

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

apples

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

best

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

blazing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

bowl

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

bunch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

cabinet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

Chagmouth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.

china

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

clings

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

cream

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

David

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

delightful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.

Devonshire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

enlarged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

EverythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

experience

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.

faint

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

FairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

family

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

Farm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

February

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

felt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

fire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

frames

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

full

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

gilt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

girls

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.

give

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

Grimbal's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

helped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

home

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

horsehair

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

house-place

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

indeed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

interesting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

land

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

logs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

lunch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

Maids

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

Mavis

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

Merle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

Mrs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

musty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

new

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.

occupied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

old-fashioned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

once

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

parlour

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.

Penruddock

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

photographs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

piano

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

plenty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

quaint

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

roasted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

room

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

round

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

scentnounUS /sɛnt/

A distinctive smell or aroma.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

shut-up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

snowdrops

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

sofa

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

table

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading To the girls it was all part of their delightful new experience at Chagmouth.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

Uncle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.

used

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was a quaint, old-fashioned house-place, with a horsehair sofa, a cabinet full of best china, some enlarged family photographs in gilt frames, a very ancient piano, and a round table.

week

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Everything was different from home, and therefore interesting, and when Mrs. Penruddock brought in a bowl of Devonshire cream with the roasted apples they felt they were indeed in a land of plenty.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading It had the faint, musty, shut-up scent that clings to a room which is used only once a week, but a blazing fire of logs, and a bunch of snowdrops on the table, helped to give it a more occupied air.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Fair Maids of February Mavis and Merle had lunch with Uncle David in the parlour at Grimbal's Farm.