used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
AugustanounUS /əˈɡʌstə/
the capital of the state of Maine
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
bustverbUS /bʌst/
ruin completely
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
chaperoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
at any time
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
Forbes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
hemnounUS /hem/
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/
enclosed in the same envelope or package
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
mirrorsnounUS /ˈmɪrərz/
plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
not any; not one
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
notablesnounUS /ˈnoʊtəbəlz/
plural of “notable” — a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
pigeon-blood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
Rhuys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
rubiesnounUS /ˈruːbiz/
plural of “ruby” — a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
satinnounUS /ˈsætən/
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
except for; apart from
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
trimmingnounUS /ˈtrɪmɪŋ/
the act of adding decoration
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading But about the waist, one end hanging almost to the hem of the gown was a ribbon of large pigeon-blood rubies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SEVERAL evenings later, a banquet was given to a party of Russian notables.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
a Caucasian
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading As Mrs. Forbes stood between her mirrors that evening, she wondered if she had ever looked more lovely.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading She wore a gown of ivory white satin, so thick that it creaked, and entirely without trimming, save for the lace on the bust.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading As no young people were invited, Augusta, chaperoned by her father’s sister, Mrs. Van Rhuys, arranged a theatre party, which included the English Duke.
