used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
AdmissionnounUS /ædˈmɪʃən/
the act of admitting someone to enter
From this reading Admission to the residence of Sir Francis Netherleigh was coveted by the gay world.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "There's a tear!" almost screamed a pretty-looking girl.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading ON LADY LIVINGSTONE'S ARM.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Admission to the residence of Sir Francis Netherleigh was coveted by the gay world.
covetedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvətɪd/
greatly desired
From this reading Admission to the residence of Sir Francis Netherleigh was coveted by the gay world.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
decorationsnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “decoration” — something used to beautify
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
enliveningadjectiveUS /enˈlaɪvənɪŋ/
giving spirit and vivacity
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
exotics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Admission to the residence of Sir Francis Netherleigh was coveted by the gay world.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Admission to the residence of Sir Francis Netherleigh was coveted by the gay world.
gildedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪldɪd/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
a young female
From this reading "There's a tear!" almost screamed a pretty-looking girl.
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading ON LADY LIVINGSTONE'S ARM.
LIVINGSTONE'SnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋstoʊnz/
possessive form of “livingstone” — Scottish missionary and explorer who discovered the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls (1813-1873)
From this reading ON LADY LIVINGSTONE'S ARM.
Netherleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Admission to the residence of Sir Francis Netherleigh was coveted by the gay world.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON LADY LIVINGSTONE'S ARM.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
paintingsnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋz/
plural of “painting” — graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
pretty-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's a tear!" almost screamed a pretty-looking girl.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading Admission to the residence of Sir Francis Netherleigh was coveted by the gay world.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
screamedverbUS /skriːmd/
past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "There's a tear!" almost screamed a pretty-looking girl.
get rid of
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
term of address for a man
From this reading Admission to the residence of Sir Francis Netherleigh was coveted by the gay world.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
strainsnounUS /streɪnz/
plural of “strain” — (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading "There's a tear!" almost screamed a pretty-looking girl.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's a tear!" almost screamed a pretty-looking girl.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
waningnounUS /ˈweɪnɪŋ/
a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
Wax-lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wax-lights innumerable shed their rays on the gilded decorations, the exquisite paintings, the gorgeous dresses of the ladies; the enlivening strains of the band invited to the dance, and rare exotics shed forth a sweet perfume.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The stately rooms were thrown open for the reception of the guests, and the evening was already waning.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Admission to the residence of Sir Francis Netherleigh was coveted by the gay world.
