Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

anew

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

plural of “alcove” — a small recess opening off a larger room

From this reading Into alcoves, screened and flower-decked, couples wandered.

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

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Suddenly the music stopped, the conversation ceased, the laughter died away.

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

dearly loved

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

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

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

plural of “blossom” — reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

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

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading Suddenly the music stopped, the conversation ceased, the laughter died away.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading Suddenly the music stopped, the conversation ceased, the laughter died away.

plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another

From this reading Into alcoves, screened and flower-decked, couples wandered.

plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

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

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Suddenly the music stopped, the conversation ceased, the laughter died away.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

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

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

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

From this reading Into alcoves, screened and flower-decked, couples wandered.

moving swiftly

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

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

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

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

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Into alcoves, screened and flower-decked, couples wandered.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

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

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

the sound of laughing

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

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

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

roused to anger

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

a particular point in time

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

in motion

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

uniquely or characteristically

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

plural of “pulse” — (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

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

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

recurring with measured regularity

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection

From this reading Into alcoves, screened and flower-decked, couples wandered.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading Suddenly the music stopped, the conversation ceased, the laughter died away.

plural of “strain” — (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Suddenly the music stopped, the conversation ceased, the laughter died away.

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

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

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

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

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

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Into alcoves, screened and flower-decked, couples wandered.

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

From this reading In the dancing-space hands were clasped, bosoms rose and fell, hearts throbbed, pulses beat, and moving bodies kept time to rhythmic sound.

during the time that

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now and again a pair of dancers, peculiarly graceful and particularly daring, held the center of the floor for a moment while the room rang with applause.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading G.P. Putnam's Sons New York and London The Knickerbocker Press To the Beloved Memory of Little Betty The heavy perfume of rare blossoms, the wild strains of mad music, the patter of flying feet, the murmur of speech, the ring of laughter, filled the great hall.