used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
ascendantnounUS /əˈsendənt/
position or state of being dominant or in control
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
bloomsnounUS /bluːmz/
plural of “bloom” — the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
chattedverbUS /ˈtʃætəd/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
diningroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
dismallyadverbUS /ˈdɪzməli/
in a cheerless manner
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
entrées
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
fawn-and-silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
finelyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnli/
in tiny pieces
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
liverynounUS /ˈlɪvəri/
uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
luncheon-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
the force of workers available
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
motherly-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
MoundnounUS /maʊnd/
(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
not any; not one
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
on one occasion
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
pleasurableadjectiveUS /ˈpleʒərəbəl/
affording satisfaction or pleasure
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
profusionnounUS /prəˈfjuːʒən/
the property of being extremely abundant
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
possessing material wealth
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
precisely, exactly
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
savouryadjective
morally wholesome or acceptable
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
sickenedverbUS /ˈsɪkənd/
past form of “sicken” — cause aversion in; offend the moral sense of
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
term of address for a man
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
be standing; be upright
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
strawberriesnounUS /ˈstrɔːberiz/
plural of “strawberry” — sweet fleshy red fruit
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
sympathizeverbUS /ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/
share the feelings of; understand the sentiments of
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
Thorne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
travelsnounUS /ˈtrævəlz/
plural of “travel” — the act of going from one place to another
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
unsuccessfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəl/
not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
Vansittart's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for once Lord Vansittart’s good star seemed in the ascendant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
in or at the place that
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he accepted a vacant place on her right hand, and chatted about his travels, his ear was pitched to hear what Joan was talking so brightly about to Lady Mound and her daughters at the other end of the table.
which person or people
From this reading Joan was seated at the end of the long table in the big, finely furnished diningroom, where luncheon was already being handed round by the men in Sir Thomas’ fawn-and-silver livery to some ladies and a man or two who had dropped in and been invited to stay by Lady Thorne.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As the kindly, middle-aged, motherly-looking lady welcomed him with what he felt to be pleasurable astonishment, he felt less sickened by the mingled scent of savoury entrées and the pines, forced strawberries and rich rose blooms that decorated the luncheon-table in profusion.
wooingnounUS /ˈwuːɪŋ/
a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)
From this reading Perhaps--she seemed to smile upon him, almost to sympathize, indeed, as Sir Thomas had made no secret of doing some months previously--his hostess might stand his friend in his hitherto dismally unsuccessful wooing.
