Chapter XXIII

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

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

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

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

any thing at all

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

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

From this reading The old ball-room was too magnificent in itself to require much decoration.

an unofficial association of people or groups

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

the overhead upper surface of a covered space

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

carefully weighed

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

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

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

informal terms for a (young) woman

From this reading DAME ROWTON.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

something used to beautify

From this reading The old ball-room was too magnificent in itself to require much decoration.

come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

-ing form of “drape” — arrange in a particular way

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

a high place

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

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

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

a single distinct event

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The old ball-room was too magnificent in itself to require much decoration.

Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

characterized by grandeur

From this reading The old ball-room was too magnificent in itself to require much decoration.

engage in

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading The old ball-room was too magnificent in itself to require much decoration.

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

not any; not one

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old ball-room was too magnificent in itself to require much decoration.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

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

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

cause to become

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading The old ball-room was too magnificent in itself to require much decoration.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

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

From this reading DAME ROWTON.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

past form of “spare” — refrain from harming

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

a lightweight cord

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

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

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

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

From this reading Jacob Short returned the next day to Rowton Heights, and almost immediately afterwards the excitement and confusion incident to the great ball began.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The old ball-room was too magnificent in itself to require much decoration.

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

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

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

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.

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

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading The carved oak, which covered it from ceiling to floor, was re-polished, but the windows were not draped, Nature’s draping of ivy and old creepers being considered far more effective than anything man could devise.

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading Many fresh servants were engaged for the occasion; a string band from London was secured; in short, no expense was spared to make the occasion a worthy one, and to render the ball as brilliant as possible.