used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
beehivenounUS /ˈbiːhaɪv/
any workplace where people are very busy
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading Should he send up the lady’s card?
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
ColumbianadjectiveUS /ˌkoʊˈlʌmbiən/
of or relating to Christopher Columbus
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
gaylyadverb
in a joyous manner
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Miss Johnson had mostly kept to her room.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Should he send up the lady’s card?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Yes, she was, and her room was No. ——.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
impertinentlyadverb
in an impudent or impertinent manner
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
inquiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪərɪŋ/
given to inquiry
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Miss Johnson had mostly kept to her room.”
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Should he send up the lady’s card?
Lina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading Miss Johnson had mostly kept to her room.”
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
not any; not one
From this reading “Yes, she was, and her room was No. ——.
not one, and not any
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
piazzanounUS /piˈæzə/
a public square with room for pedestrians
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading “Yes, she was, and her room was No. ——.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading Should he send up the lady’s card?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Yes, she was, and her room was No. ——.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Should he send up the lady’s card?
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they stare impertinently at the gayly dressed lady coming up the steps, and inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ’Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name and passed on into the parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive down town.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes, she was, and her room was No. ——.
