adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
accumulationnounUS /əˌkjuːmjəˈleɪʃən/
an increase by natural growth or addition
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
afterwardsadverbUS /ˈæftərwərdz/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
classnounUS /klæs/
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
conductingnounUS /kənˈdʌktɪŋ/
the way of administering a business
From this reading The dinner was served in the state dining-room, to which Mr. Henderson had the honor of conducting Margaret.
costnounUS /kɑːst/
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
dancenounUS /dæns/
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
decorationnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃən/
something used to beautify
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading The dinner was served in the state dining-room, to which Mr. Henderson had the honor of conducting Margaret.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
ElizabethnounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/
every person
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
gaugedverbUS /ɡeɪdʒd/
past form of “gauge” — judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
guestnounUS /ɡest/
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The dinner was served in the state dining-room, to which Mr. Henderson had the honor of conducting Margaret.
Henderson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dinner was served in the state dining-room, to which Mr. Henderson had the honor of conducting Margaret.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
honornounUS /ˈɑːnər/
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading The dinner was served in the state dining-room, to which Mr. Henderson had the honor of conducting Margaret.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
knowsnounUS /noʊz/
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
mereadjectiveUS /mɪr/
being nothing more than specified
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading The dinner was served in the state dining-room, to which Mr. Henderson had the honor of conducting Margaret.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
needsadverbUS /niːdz/
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
picturesnounUS /ˈpɪktʃərz/
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
providedverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪd/
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
recalledverbUS /rɪˈkɔːld/
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
retainersnounUS /rɪˈteɪnərz/
plural of “retainer” — a fee charged in advance to retain the services of someone
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
retinuenounUS /ˈretənuː/
the group following and attending to some important person
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
revenuenounUS /ˈrevənuː/
the entire amount of income before any deductions are made
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The dinner was served in the state dining-room, to which Mr. Henderson had the honor of conducting Margaret.
servitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
specialadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəl/
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
statenounUS /steɪt/
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The dinner was served in the state dining-room, to which Mr. Henderson had the honor of conducting Margaret.
swarmedverbUS /swɔːrmd/
past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Though the dinner party was not large, there was to be a dance afterwards, and for every guest was provided a special attendant.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
understoodadjectiveUS /ˌʌndərˈstʊd/
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
valuenounUS /ˈvæljuː/
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
wealthnounUS /welθ/
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading And this is, after all, a better test of wealth than a mere accumulation of things and cost of decoration; for though men and women do not cost so much originally as good pictures--that is, good men and women--everybody knows that it needs more revenue to maintain them.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The dinner was served in the state dining-room, to which Mr. Henderson had the honor of conducting Margaret.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The present occupants understood quite well the value of a background: the house swarmed with servants--retainers, one might say.
womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Margaret, who was fresh from her history class, recalled the days of Elizabeth, when a man's importance was gauged by the retinue of servitors and men and women in waiting.
