used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
Barry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
Bigelow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
third-person singular of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
DeclinesnounUS /dɪˈklaɪnz/
plural of “decline” — change toward something smaller or lower
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
delayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈleɪd/
not as far along as normal in development
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
(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 _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
divisible by two
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
apart from; not including
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
a social unit living together
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
firnounUS /fɜːr/
nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
Isabelle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
Jenks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
and nothing more
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
Leila
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
merrymakingnoun
a boisterous celebration; a merry festivity
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
PleadsverbUS /pliːdz/
third-person singular of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
plumeverbUS /pluːm/
rip off; ask an unreasonable price
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
PorternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
PrivilegenounUS /ˈprɪvlədʒ/
a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading But Roger had refused.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
spicyadjectiveUS /ˈspaɪsi/
producing a burning sensation on the taste nerves
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
tinselverbUS /ˈtɪnsəl/
impart a cheap brightness to
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
toppedadjectiveUS /tɑːpt/
having a top of a specified character
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Aunt Frances, having delayed her trip abroad until January, was coming; and except for Leila and General Dick and Porter Bigelow, it was to be strictly a family affair.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading In vain Mary and Barry and even Aunt Isabelle had urged Roger to join their merrymaking downstairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
weeadjectiveUS /wiː/
(used informally) very small
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _In Which Mary Brings Christmas to the Tower Rooms; and in Which Roger Declines a Privilege for Which Porter Pleads._ On Christmas Eve, Mary and Susan Jenks brought up to Roger a little tree.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading It was just a fir plume, but it was gay with tinsel and spicy with the fragrance of the woods, and it was topped by a wee wax angel.
