Chapter XXI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

in actual fact

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

in an alarming manner

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

remote in manner

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

past form of “approach” — move towards

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

a small house with a single story

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

past form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

to come or go into

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

in an unqualified manner

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading It was incomprehensible.

be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was incomprehensible.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

plural of “kitchen” — a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

in order that something should not happen

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

for an instant or moment

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

in motion

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

not any; not one

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

the middle of the day

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

a human being

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

in a way that was not expected

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

up to a particular time

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

compelling immediate action

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

precisely as stated

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time

From this reading Until noon of the very day of the feast the parents and Aunty Jane had paid the girls an almost embarrassing number of visits.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was incomprehensible.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

at the time that

From this reading Now, when the girls really wanted them and actually gave each of them a very special invitation, each one unexpectedly held aloof.

during the time that

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The Dinner The girls, a little uneasy lest their alarmingly interested parents should insist on cooking and serving the entire dinner, were both relieved and perplexed to find that the grown-ups, while perfectly willing to help with the dinner provided they could work in their own kitchens, flatly declined the most urgent invitations to enter the cottage on the afternoon or evening of the party.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading For, as the hour approached, the girls momentarily became more and more convinced that something would surely go wrong in the cottage kitchen with no experienced person to keep things moving.