used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
any thing at all
From this reading "I'd rather have that than anything else.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
chattingverbUS /ˈtʃætɪŋ/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
conversedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrst/
past form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
wanted intensely
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
Dinsmore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I want jewelry," said Sidney Dinsmore.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'd rather have that than anything else.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
GrandmanounUS /ˈɡrændmɑː/
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I'd rather have that than anything else.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I want jewelry," said Sidney Dinsmore.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'd rather have that than anything else.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
jewelrynounUS /ˈdʒuːəlri/
an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
From this reading "I want jewelry," said Sidney Dinsmore.
jovialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊviəl/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
parlorsnounUS /ˈpɑːrlərz/
plural of “parlor” — reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
purchasenounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/
the acquisition of something for payment
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
on the contrary
From this reading "I'd rather have that than anything else.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
reception-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I want jewelry," said Sidney Dinsmore.
SidneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
English poet (1554-1586)
From this reading "I want jewelry," said Sidney Dinsmore.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
sportsnounUS /spɔːrts/
plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
confined on all sides
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "I'd rather have that than anything else.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
precisely as stated
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "I want jewelry," said Sidney Dinsmore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
well-spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandma Elsie was a most hospitable hostess, and it was a very cheerful, jovial party that surrounded her well-spread table that day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The girls were together in a small reception-room, chatting about such matters as particularly interested them--their studies, sports, plans for the purchase or making of Christmas gifts, and what they hoped or desired to receive.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading After dinner, while the older people conversed together in the parlors, the younger ones wandered at will through the house.
