used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading The clock struck eight.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
put on clothes
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
being one more than seven
From this reading The clock struck eight.
elegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
equipagenoun
equipment and supplies of a military force
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
FredericksnounUS /ˈfredrɪks/
plural of “frederick” — a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So that was her sister!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
Linden'snounUS /ˈlɪndənz/
possessive form of “linden” — soft light-colored wood of any of various linden trees; used in making crates and boxes and in carving and millwork
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading "It is Mrs. Fredericks," he heard the people murmur behind him.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
rustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
silksnounUS /sɪlks/
the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
silveryadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlvəri/
resembling or reminiscent of silver
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading So that was her sister!
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So that was her sister!
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The clock struck eight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So that was her sister!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The clock struck eight.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
trippedverbUS /trɪpt/
inflected form of “trip” — miss a step and fall or nearly fall
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Gentlemen on foot had already been coming to the hotel for some time, then ladies arrived, and at length the first carriage containing guests for the ball rolled up, dainty feet tripped up the steps, and rich silks rustled as they walked.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So that was her sister!
in the company of; together with
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Carriage followed carriage; now came an elegant equipage with magnificent gray horses, a charming slight woman's figure in a light blue dress covered with delicate lace, bent forward, and a silvery laugh sounded in Linden's ear.
