Chapter XXV

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

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

From this reading There was a buzz of expectation from an audience which packed the hall.

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance

From this reading There was a buzz of expectation from an audience which packed the hall.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading A bell tinkled.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

make a buzzing sound

From this reading There was a buzz of expectation from an audience which packed the hall.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

the time at which something is supposed to begin

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Then the great curtain rose, disclosing a palm-decorated stage.

-ing form of “disclose” — make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret

From this reading Then the great curtain rose, disclosing a palm-decorated stage.

being one more than seven

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

belief about (or mental picture of) the future

From this reading There was a buzz of expectation from an audience which packed the hall.

past form of “file” — record in a public office or in a court of law

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

for a limitless time

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There was a buzz of expectation from an audience which packed the hall.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

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

From this reading Then the great curtain rose, disclosing a palm-decorated stage.

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

become quiet or still; fall silent

From this reading There was a sudden hush.

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

stimulating or exalting to the spirit

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

the month following May and preceding July

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

according to the clock

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

extremely crowed or filled to capacity

From this reading There was a buzz of expectation from an audience which packed the hall.

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

From this reading Then the great curtain rose, disclosing a palm-decorated stage.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Then the great curtain rose, disclosing a palm-decorated stage.

plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

in a sedate manner

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading Then the great curtain rose, disclosing a palm-decorated stage.

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

plural of “strain” — (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

V-shaped sleeve badge indicating military rank and service

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading There was a sudden hush.

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the great curtain rose, disclosing a palm-decorated stage.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a buzz of expectation from an audience which packed the hall.

past form of “tinkle” — make or emit a high sound

From this reading A bell tinkled.

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

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

From this reading There was a buzz of expectation from an audience which packed the hall.

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

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.

a Caucasian

From this reading COMMENCEMENT At precisely eight o’clock on a warm June evening a long line of boys walked sedately into Martin Hall and marching to the front to the inspiring strains of “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” played by the store orchestra, filed into the rows of seats ribboned off in white which had been reserved for them.