used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading "I suppose all this is on account of Bellendean," they said.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
(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 "I suppose all this is on account of Bellendean," they said.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
Bellendean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose all this is on account of Bellendean," they said.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
clubsnounUS /klʌbz/
plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
commiserationnoun
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
convives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading Bellendean was her ladyship's son, and was intended to stand for the county on the next opportunity.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
drawing-rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bellendean was her ladyship's son, and was intended to stand for the county on the next opportunity.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bellendean was her ladyship's son, and was intended to stand for the county on the next opportunity.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I suppose all this is on account of Bellendean," they said.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading Bellendean was her ladyship's son, and was intended to stand for the county on the next opportunity.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I suppose all this is on account of Bellendean," they said.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
ladyship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bellendean was her ladyship's son, and was intended to stand for the county on the next opportunity.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
mutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/
common to or shared by two or more parties
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Bellendean was her ladyship's son, and was intended to stand for the county on the next opportunity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I suppose all this is on account of Bellendean," they said.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Bellendean was her ladyship's son, and was intended to stand for the county on the next opportunity.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
ruraladjectiveUS /ˈrʊrəl/
living in or characteristic of farming or country life
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I suppose all this is on account of Bellendean," they said.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
a male human offspring
From this reading Bellendean was her ladyship's son, and was intended to stand for the county on the next opportunity.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
be standing; be upright
From this reading Bellendean was her ladyship's son, and was intended to stand for the county on the next opportunity.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose all this is on account of Bellendean," they said.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
precisely as stated
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was after this that the experiences in society began.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The countess gave them a dinner, which was very kind and friendly, and at which they met various country friends.
whiffnounUS /wɪf/
a short light gust of air
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
which person or people
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Indeed it was an entertainment which had a whiff of the country about it altogether, a sort of rural air; some of the gentlemen who were posted here and there about the table to talk the talk of the clubs and give the other _convives_ a sense of being in London, got together after the meal was over and talked in the doorway between the two drawing-rooms with mutual commiseration.
