Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

in the past

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

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

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

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

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

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

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

comparative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

with brightness

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

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

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

divisible by two

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

resembling or made of or suggestive of flowers

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

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

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

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

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

a square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or about the neck

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

spin, wind, or twist together

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

set down according to a plan

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

set afire or burning

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

without good reason

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

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

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

a female domestic

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

a man servant

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

above and across; more than

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

a tray (or large plate) for serving food or drinks; usually made of silver

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

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

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

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

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

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

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

very small

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

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

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

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

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

French painter (1684-1721)

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.

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

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading THE PARTY Lights blazed from every window of the stone house, the great garden was brilliantly lighted, even the twinkling stars overhead seemed brighter than usual, as if they knew of the party, and were laughing as they watched the little guests arriving.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading Lightly they stepped from their carriages, and flew up the steps as if their feet had wings.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She presented her salver, and each little guest laid a card upon it, with the name of the character which she represented.

a late time of life

From this reading What was their surprise to see the manservant, at the door as usual, to be sure, but in a fine old suit of livery that made him look like an English serving-man of many, many years ago.

an affirmative

From this reading Yes, there was the maid in the hall in a cute Watteau costume, a tiny lace cap on her head, and a kerchief over her flowered gown.