used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
allayedverbUS /əˈleɪd/
past form of “allay” — lessen the intensity of or calm
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
move towards
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He hoped the whole winter would be pearl gray.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
cravatnounUS /krəˈvæt/
A short, wide strip of silk fabric worn by gentlemen around the neck inside an open-collared shirt.
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
cuffsnounUS /kʌfs/
plural of “cuff” — the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
detachableadjectiveUS /dɪˈtætʃəbəl/
designed to be unfastened or disconnected without damage
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
a social unit living together
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
historiesnounUS /ˈhɪstəriz/
plural of “history” — the aggregate of past events
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He hoped the whole winter would be pearl gray.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
immediately past
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
nicelyadverbUS /ˈnaɪsli/
in a nice way
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
pearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
smoothingverbUS /ˈsmuːðɪŋ/
-ing form of “smooth” — make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The little storm which Edith had raised over John's presence in the house had been allayed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
uneventfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌniˈventfəl/
marked by no noteworthy or significant events
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
washedadjectiveUS /wɑːʃt/
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
(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 His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And now he felt the approach at last of another season of quiet, one of those uneventful times which come in family histories.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading He hoped the whole winter would be pearl gray.
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading His dressing for dinner, as a rule, consisted in changing his low wing collar and his large round detachable cuffs; but to-night he changed his cravat as well, from a black to a pearl gray one.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading He hoped the whole winter would be pearl gray.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As he washed and dressed for dinner, one night a little later, he thought with satisfaction, "How nicely things are smoothing out."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He hoped the whole winter would be pearl gray.
