used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "NOW TREAD WE A MEASURE."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
the lower side of anything
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
brighteradjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtər/
comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
brilliantlyadverbUS /ˈbrɪljəntli/
with brightness
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
put or send forth
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
charmsnounUS /tʃɑːrmz/
plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
chatsnounUS /tʃæts/
plural of “chat” — an informal conversation
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
conduciveadjectiveUS /kənˈduːsɪv/
tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
cosynounUS /ˈkoʊzi/
a padded cloth covering to keep a teapot warm
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
dancesnounUS /ˈdænsəz/
plural of “dance” — an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
enhanceverbUS /enˈhæns/
increase
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
at any time
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
exceptingverbUS /ˌekˈseptɪŋ/
-ing form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
fairy-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
set afire or burning
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading "NOW TREAD WE A MEASURE."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "NOW TREAD WE A MEASURE."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
partnersnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərz/
plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
Preston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
ravishingadjectiveUS /ˈrævɪʃɪŋ/
stunningly beautiful
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
recallverbUS /ˈriːkɔːl/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
an educational institution
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
with low volume
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
speciallyadverbUS /ˈspeʃəli/
in a special manner
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
sweeteradjectiveUS /ˈswiːtər/
comparative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
temptingadjectiveUS /ˈtemptɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
toiletsnounUS /ˈtɔɪləts/
plural of “toilet” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Then lights seem brighter, toilets more ravishing, music sweeter, our partners more fascinating, and the supper more tempting than ever before or after.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Shall we ever grow too old to recall the pleasure of our school dances?
the upper part of anything
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
TREADverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading "NOW TREAD WE A MEASURE."
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "NOW TREAD WE A MEASURE."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The house was brilliantly lighted from top to bottom, excepting in such cosy corners as were specially conducive to confidential chats, and in these softly shaded lamps cast a fairy-like light.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Preston, dressed in black velvet, with some rich old lace to enhance its charms, received her guests in the great hall, some of the older girls receiving with her.
