used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Or do you count me a fair-weather friend?"
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
bowingnounUS /ˈboʊɪŋ/
bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
conifersnounUS /ˈkɑːnəfərz/
plural of “conifer” — any gymnospermous tree or shrub bearing cones
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading Or do you count me a fair-weather friend?"
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Or do you count me a fair-weather friend?"
fair-weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or do you count me a fair-weather friend?"
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading "Surely to—to me, you may show your true feelings.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
set up or found
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Or do you count me a fair-weather friend?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He laughed, not quite naturally.
herbaceousadjectiveUS /ərˈbeɪʃəs/
characteristic of a nonwoody herb or plant part
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading He laughed, not quite naturally.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
matronnounUS /ˈmeɪtrən/
a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Surely to—to me, you may show your true feelings.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Surely to—to me, you may show your true feelings.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
as might be expected
From this reading He laughed, not quite naturally.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He laughed, not quite naturally.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Or do you count me a fair-weather friend?"
prattledverbUS /ˈprætəld/
past form of “prattle” — speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He laughed, not quite naturally.
Randolph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "Surely to—to me, you may show your true feelings.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading "Surely to—to me, you may show your true feelings.
carry out
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Surely to—to me, you may show your true feelings.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading "Surely to—to me, you may show your true feelings.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before he had answered Lady Randolph came up and said that Mark must be introduced to the lady he was destined to take into dinner.
which person or people
From this reading Mark found himself bowing before an ample matron who prattled of herbaceous borders and conifers for nearly half an hour.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Surely to—to me, you may show your true feelings.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Surely to—to me, you may show your true feelings.
