used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
actornounUS /ˈæktər/
a theatrical performer
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
ASPIRATIONSnounUS /ˌæspərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed
From this reading DISAPPOINTED ASPIRATIONS.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
bankernounUS /ˈbæŋkər/
a financier who owns or is an executive in a bank
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
characterizingverbUS /ˈkerəktəraɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “characterize” — describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
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 The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
the act of departing
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading DISAPPOINTED ASPIRATIONS.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
expressionsnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃənz/
plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
extravagancenounUS /ekˈstrævəɡəns/
the quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth
From this reading "Wanton extravagance!"
festivalnounUS /ˈfestəvəl/
a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
From this reading The festival was over.
flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing to advantage
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
issuedverbUS /ˈɪʃuːd/
past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
and nothing more
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
immediately past
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The festival was over.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The festival was over.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
precisely as stated
From this reading The last guests had taken their departure, and as they issued shivering into the cold air of the autumn night, criticism, and that not of a very genial kind, replaced the flattering expressions they had just used in characterizing to their hostess 'the delightful evening' they had passed.
vieverbUS /vaɪ/
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
WantonverbUS /ˈwɔːntən/
waste time; spend one's time idly or inefficiently
From this reading "Wanton extravagance!"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The festival was over.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading "It is worse than folly, and so out of taste for an actor to attempt to vie with a banker."
