used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
in addition
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
assignedadjectiveUS /əˈsaɪnd/
appointed to a post or duty
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
AustralianounUS /ɔːˈstreɪljə/
a nation occupying the whole of the Australian continent; Aboriginal tribes are thought to have migrated from southeastern Asia 20,000 years ago; first Europeans were British convicts sent there as a penal colony
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
bellesnounUS /belz/
plural of “belle” — a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
bridegroomnounUS /ˈbraɪdɡruːm/
a man who has recently been married
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
cloudlessadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdləs/
free from clouds
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading "WHEN YULE IS COLD."
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
congratulationsnounUS /kənˌɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
being one more than seven
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
divisible by two
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
yet to be or coming
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "WHEN YULE IS COLD."
immediately past
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
lovelier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
joined in matrimony
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
MelbournenounUS /ˈmelbərn/
a resort town in east central Florida
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
not any; not one
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
omennounUS /ˈoʊmən/
a sign of something about to happen
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
RachelnounUS /ˈreɪtʃəl/
(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
precisely as stated
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading Rachel, when she did at last get married, had a very stately wedding, if that was any comfort to her.
at the time that
From this reading "WHEN YULE IS COLD."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The bridegroom on this occasion by no means filled the humble office which tradition and custom assigned to him.
which person or people
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
a late time of life
From this reading The weather was beautiful, to begin with; a lovelier autumn morning even Australia could not have furnished, to be an omen of good luck for the future years.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Each of the eight young Melbourne belles who had been invited to assist at the interesting ceremony took care to point out the significance of sunshine and a cloudless sky when offering their congratulations to the bride and to the bridegroom also.
YULEnounUS /juːl/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading "WHEN YULE IS COLD."
