used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
having companions or an escort
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It is quite an impromptu affair, quite informal.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It is quite an impromptu affair, quite informal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
broughams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
BrownenounUS /braʊn/
English illustrator of several of Dickens' novels (1815-1882)
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
butterflyverbUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
flutter like a butterfly
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Dancing is going on in the small drawing-room.
Despondverb
lose confidence or hope; become dejected
From this reading "The name of the slough was Despond."
DickynounUS /ˈdɪki/
a small third seat in the back of an old-fashioned two-seater
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing is going on in the small drawing-room.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
the act of departing
From this reading Dancing is going on in the small drawing-room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
impromptunounUS /ˌɪmˈprɑːmptuː/
an extemporaneous speech or remark
From this reading It is quite an impromptu affair, quite informal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dancing is going on in the small drawing-room.
informaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading It is quite an impromptu affair, quite informal.
irreclaimableadjective
insusceptible of reform
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dancing is going on in the small drawing-room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is quite an impromptu affair, quite informal.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
a particular point in time
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "The name of the slough was Despond."
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
nothingsnounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋz/
inconsequential conversation
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "The name of the slough was Despond."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dancing is going on in the small drawing-room.
and nothing more
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It is quite an impromptu affair, quite informal.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
sloughnounUS /slʌf/
necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass
From this reading "The name of the slough was Despond."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Dancing is going on in the small drawing-room.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
not in physical motion
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The name of the slough was Despond."
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The name of the slough was Despond."
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
which person or people
From this reading Dicky Browne, altogether in his element, is flitting from flower to flower, saying beautiful nothings to any of the girls who are kind enough or silly enough to waste a moment on so irreclaimable a butterfly.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A few night broughams are still arriving, and young girls, accompanied by their brothers only, are making the room look lovely.
