used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The routine was completely stereotyped; for human nature is very uninventive, especially in the country.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading There were no great gatherings in that corner of the countryside.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The routine was completely stereotyped; for human nature is very uninventive, especially in the country.
countrysidenounUS /ˈkʌntrisaɪd/
rural regions
From this reading There were no great gatherings in that corner of the countryside.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
dinedverbUS /daɪnd/
past form of “dine” — have supper; eat dinner
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
dinner-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The routine was completely stereotyped; for human nature is very uninventive, especially in the country.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
frameworknounUS /ˈfreɪmwɜːrk/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
gatheringsnounUS /ˈɡæðərɪŋz/
plural of “gathering” — a group of persons together in one place
From this reading There were no great gatherings in that corner of the countryside.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There were no great gatherings in that corner of the countryside.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The routine was completely stereotyped; for human nature is very uninventive, especially in the country.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were no great gatherings in that corner of the countryside.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The routine was completely stereotyped; for human nature is very uninventive, especially in the country.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
mansenoun
a large and imposing house
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
Murkley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The routine was completely stereotyped; for human nature is very uninventive, especially in the country.
not any; not one
From this reading There were no great gatherings in that corner of the countryside.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
overthrownounUS /ˈoʊvərθroʊ/
the termination of a ruler or institution (especially by force)
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
primitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading The routine was completely stereotyped; for human nature is very uninventive, especially in the country.
rubbernounUS /ˈrʌbər/
an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
stereotypedadjectiveUS /ˈsteriətaɪpt/
lacking spontaneity or originality or individuality
From this reading The routine was completely stereotyped; for human nature is very uninventive, especially in the country.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were no great gatherings in that corner of the countryside.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were no great gatherings in that corner of the countryside.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
uninventiveadjective
deficient in originality or creativity; lacking powers of invention
From this reading The routine was completely stereotyped; for human nature is very uninventive, especially in the country.
under normal conditions
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
precisely as stated
From this reading A dinner-party happened now and then, but these were very rare, for most of the best families dined in the middle of the day in a primitive manner, and a great dinner meant an overthrow of all the habits of the house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The framework of society at Murkley was of a simple description.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were no great gatherings in that corner of the countryside.
at the time that
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Usually friends came to tea, and remained, as in the manse, when the majority was young, to dance: or in other houses, when the majority were older people, to play a friendly rubber, with a round game for such youth as might be of the party.
