used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
(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 There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
audaciousadjectiveUS /ɑːˈdeɪʃəs/
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
Betty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
carnationnounUS /kɑːrˈneɪʃən/
Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
Catherine'snounUS /ˈkæθrɪnz/
possessive form of “catherine” — first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
comelinessnoun
the quality of being good looking and attractive
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
intentionally conceived
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
creamnounUS /kriːm/
the best people or things in a group
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
deliciouslyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪʃəʃli/
in a very pleasurable manner
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
faylike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Her tongue was in sympathy with the quickness of her feet.
fettlenoun
a state of fitness and good health
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
a young female
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
glamournounUS /ˈɡlæmər/
alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
Hamilton-Hamilton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
impertinentadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrtənənt/
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
minxnoun
a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
Murchison's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
partnersnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərz/
plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
prattledverbUS /ˈprætəld/
past form of “prattle” — speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
quicknessnounUS /ˈkwɪknəs/
skillful performance or ability without difficulty
From this reading Her tongue was in sympathy with the quickness of her feet.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
Roxton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
sparkleverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəl/
reflect brightly
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
possessing sweep
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
moving very fast
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Her tongue was in sympathy with the quickness of her feet.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Hamilton-Hamilton, the hostess of the night, was a patient of James Murchison’s, and Catherine’s more gracious comeliness came as a contrast to Mrs. Betty’s faylike glamour.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading Her tongue was in sympathy with the quickness of her feet.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
vervenounUS /vɜːrv/
an energetic style
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
which person or people
From this reading She prattled, laughed, and was as deliciously impertinent as any minx who has a theory of fascination.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was a dance that night at one of the Roxton houses, and Mrs. Betty, brilliant in cream and carnation, swept through the room with all the verve of a girl of twenty.
wondrousadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndrəs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Her partners discovered her in wondrous fettle—swift, splendid, and audacious, color in her cheeks, a sparkle of conscious triumph in her eyes.
