used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
(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 Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
AmericansnounUS /əˈmerəkənz/
plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
champagnenounUS /ʃæmˈpeɪn/
a white sparkling wine either produced in Champagne or resembling that produced there
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
a female human offspring
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
in or to another place
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
EuropeannounUS /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/
a native or inhabitant of Europe
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
to an extreme degree
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing to advantage
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
most important element
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
peasant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
RECEPTIONSnounUS /rɪˈsepʃənz/
plural of “reception” — the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
refreshmentnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənt/
snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
salonnounUS /səˈlɑːn/
gallery where works of art can be displayed
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
signalledverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəld/
inflected form of “signal” — communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
a male human offspring
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
not in physical motion
From this reading Later he came in, still in his peasant's costume, and refused all refreshment.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
taffetanounUS /ˈtæfətə/
a crisp smooth lustrous fabric
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
TOLSTOYnounUS /ˈtoʊlstɔɪ/
Russian author remembered for two great novels (1828-1910)
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He was exceedingly civil to all his guests, but signalled out the Americans in a manner truly flattering.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
at the time that
From this reading AT ONE OF THE TOLSTOY RECEPTIONS When we arrived the next evening, it was to find a curious situation.
which person or people
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The count, we were told, was elsewhere receiving his guests, who would not join us.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The Countess Tolstoy and her daughter and young son, in European costume,--the countess in velvet and lace, and the little countess in a pretty taffeta silk,--were receiving their guests in the main salon, and later served them to a magnificent supper with champagne.
