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 is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
add
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
angle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
apartment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
article
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
belief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
bookcase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
broom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
cheerlessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
conspicuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
constant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
contemplation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
cupboard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
denominated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
dissipated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
dreary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
drunken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
Dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
duster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
Englishman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
enter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
establishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
extremely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
fiction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
furniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
housemaid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
include
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
insufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
lean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
lies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
looks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
musty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
parody
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
polite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
proverbial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
Provided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
residence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
shabby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
skeleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
smells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
suicide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
suitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
useless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This apartment, which generally smells of musty bones, is, as a rule, extremely small, extremely dark, and extremely useless.
volumes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
well-regulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is an article of belief that every Englishman's private residence must include an apartment which, by a polite fiction, is denominated a study.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dust lies thick upon the shabby furniture, by reason of the housemaid never being allowed to enter it with duster and broom; and the few volumes on the shelves of the parody of a bookcase lean against each other at a drunken angle, with a dissipated air of books that have lost all respect for themselves.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Provided with the necessary cupboard, no more suitable hiding-place could be found for the proverbial family skeleton, without which no well-regulated establishment can be said to be complete.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To add to the conspicuous cheerlessness of the room, its one insufficient window looks out upon a dreary back wall, a constant contemplation of which would be likely to drive a man's thoughts in the direction of suicide.
