used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
admirersnounUS /ədˈmaɪrərz/
plural of “admirer” — a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
a game played with playing cards
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
an occurrence of something
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
chaperonnoun
one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE TIDE OF FASHION.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
Griselda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
illuminatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtəd/
provided with artificial light
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
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 Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
minuetnounUS /mɪˌnjuːˈet/
a stately court dance in the 17th century
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TIDE OF FASHION.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
refreshmentsnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənts/
plural of “refreshment” — snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
Sarabandnoun
music composed for dancing the saraband
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
scandalnounUS /ˈskændəl/
disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
self-respectnounUS /ˌselfrɪˈspekt/
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
sheddingnounUS /ˈʃedɪŋ/
the process whereby something is shed
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
in the near future
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
confined on all sides
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TIDE OF FASHION.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There were three apartments in Wiltshire's Rooms--one for cards and conversation or scandal, as the case might be, and one for refreshments, and the larger one for dancing.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading THE TIDE OF FASHION.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
precisely as stated
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lady Betty was soon surrounded by her admirers, and showing off her dainty figure in the minuet and Saraband.
wax-candles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
Wiltshire's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiltshire's Rooms were illuminated by many wax-candles, shedding a softened and subdued light over the gay crowd which assembled there on this December night.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
a late time of life
From this reading Griselda was left very much to herself by her gay chaperon, and it was well for her that she had so much self-respect, and a bearing and manner wonderfully composed for her years.
