used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
(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 Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
ArcadianounUS /ɑːrˈkeɪdiə/
a department of Greece in the central Peloponnese
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
BelmontnounUS /ˈbelmɑːnt/
a racetrack for thoroughbred racing in Elmont on Long Island; site of the Belmont Stakes
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
blazedverbUS /bleɪzd/
past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
rid of obstructions
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
ClivenounUS /klaɪv/
British general and statesman whose victory at Plassey in 1757 strengthened British control of India (1725-1774)
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
coloredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərd/
having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
complexnounUS /ˈkɑːmpleks/
a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
donsnounUS /dɑːnz/
plural of “don” — a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
doñas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
to come or go into
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
fansnounUS /fænz/
plural of “fan” — a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
flutteredverbUS /ˈflʌtərd/
past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
set up or found
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
without good reason
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
joined in matrimony
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
the force of workers available
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
palm-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
pationounUS /ˈpætioʊ/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
presciencenounUS /ˈpriːʃiəns/
the power to foresee the future
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
routverbUS /raʊt/
cause to flee
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
scarvesnounUS /skɑːrvz/
plural of “scarf” — a garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Miss Belmont was sitting on the corridor, leaning over the low balustrade, her hands lightly clasped.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
precisely as stated
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The girls (the married women were little more) had thrown lace or silken scarves over their heads, and fluttered their fans idly.
at the time that
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
which person or people
From this reading Clive recalled all he had read of the old time, and imagined himself back among the careless dons and doñas who lived for little but pleasure, and had not a prescience of the complex civilization to enter their Arcadia and rout its very memory.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was no moon, but the clear sky blazed with stars, and colored lanterns swung between the pillars or among the broad leaves of the palm-trees.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading When the men left the dining-room they found the women in the patio, or scattered about the corridor.
