used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
in the past
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He was the first to attract my attention.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading He was the first to attract my attention.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
blissnounUS /blɪs/
a state of extreme happiness
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
children's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
connectionsnounUS /kəˈnekʃənz/
plural of “connection” — a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/
to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He was the first to attract my attention.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
a man of refinement
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was the first to attract my attention.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
independentlyadverbUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəntli/
on your own; without outside help
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
innocentlyadverbUS /ˈɪnəsəntli/
in a not unlawful manner
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
intriguesnounUS /ˌɪnˈtriːɡz/
plural of “intrigue” — a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
and nothing more
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
and nothing more
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He was the first to attract my attention.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
not any; not one
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
outsidernounUS /ˌaʊtˈsaɪ.dər/
A person who does not belong to a particular group or community; a stranger.
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
pretextnounUS /ˈpriːtekst/
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading I was an outsider, and, as I had no special matters to air, I was able to spend the evening independently of the others.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading So it seemed as though the children's ball was merely a pretext for the parents to come together and discuss matters of interest to themselves, quite innocently and casually.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was another gentleman present who like myself had just stumbled upon this affair of domestic bliss.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
which person or people
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
Year'snounUS /jɪrz/
possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
a late time of life
From this reading Exactly five years ago, on New Year's Eve, I was invited to a children's ball by a man high up in the business world, who had his connections, his circle of acquaintances, and his intrigues.
