used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not a large party.
accompanimentsnounUS /əˈkʌmpnɪmənts/
plural of “accompaniment” — an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
bric-à-brac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS DINNER.
collectverbUS /kəˈlekt/
get or gather together
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
creamyadjectiveUS /ˈkriːmi/
of the color of cream
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
DaintilyadverbUS /ˈdeɪntəliː/
in a dainty and fastidious manner
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS DINNER.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
elegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
exoticadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɑːtɪk/
being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
expansesnounUS /ɪkˈspænsɪz/
plural of “expanse” — a wide scope
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
the organ of sight
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
gastronomynounUS /ɡæˈstrɑːnəmi/
a particular style of cookery (as of a region)
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
GoldsmithnounUS /ˈɡoʊldsmɪθ/
an artisan who makes jewelry and other objects out of gold
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
incongruousadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋˈkɔːŋruːəs/
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
ingredientsnounUS /ˌɪnˈɡriːdiənts/
plural of “ingredient” — a component of a mixture or compound
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not a large party.
JewishadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːɪʃ/
of or relating to Jews or their culture or religion
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was not a large party.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
low-neckedadjective
(of a garment) having a low-cut neckline
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
naperynoun
linens for the dining table
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not a large party.
OccidentalnounUS /ˌɑːksəˈdentəl/
a native inhabitant of the Occident
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading It was not a large party.
porcelainnounUS /ˈpɔːrsələn/
ceramic ware made of a more or less translucent ceramic
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
professedadjectiveUS /prəˈfest/
professing to be qualified
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
saladnounUS /ˈsæləd/
food mixtures either arranged on a plate or tossed and served with a moist dressing; usually consisting of or including greens
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
shirt-front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Daintily embroidered napery, beautiful porcelain, Queen Anne silver, exotic flowers, glittering glass, soft rosy light, creamy expanses of shirt-front, elegant low-necked dresses--all the conventional accompaniments of Occidental gastronomy.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS DINNER.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not a large party.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Henry Goldsmith professed to collect guests on artistic principles--as she did bric-à-brac--and with an eye to general conversation.
but in spite of that
From this reading The elements of the social salad were sufficiently incongruous to-night, yet all the ingredients were Jewish.
