used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
APOLLOnounUS /əˈpɑːloʊ/
(Greek mythology) Greek god of light; god of prophecy and poetry and music and healing; son of Zeus and Leto; twin brother of Artemis
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
characterizedverbUS /ˈkerəktəraɪzd/
past form of “characterize” — describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
coloursnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a distinguishing emblem
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
the male ruler of an empire
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
divisible by two
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
evening-dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/
signifying nothing
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
the sound of laughing
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
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 APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
RomanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
salle-à-manger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
salonnounUS /səˈlɑːn/
gallery where works of art can be displayed
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading The talking and laughter nearly drowned the efforts of the string band in the far corner.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
troopedverbUS /truːpt/
past form of “troop” — march in a procession
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
tropicaladjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪkəl/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading The fantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like a host of tropical flowers.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immense Roman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificant than usual.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading APOLLO The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet a closer observation would have shown that the same instinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both.
