used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
Barbara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
chinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Its shadow has fallen on every Christmas since then.
Christmastidenoun
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Never shall I forget that Christmastide.
courtlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrtli/
refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
dutifuladjectiveUS /ˈduːtifəl/
willingly obedient out of a sense of duty and respect
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Its shadow has fallen on every Christmas since then.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Its shadow has fallen on every Christmas since then.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
faultlessadjective
without fault or error
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
festivalnounUS /ˈfestəvəl/
a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Never shall I forget that Christmastide.
a man of refinement
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its shadow has fallen on every Christmas since then.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Never shall I forget that Christmastide.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
insolencenounUS /ˈɪnsələns/
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its shadow has fallen on every Christmas since then.
Kennion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never shall I forget that Christmastide.
Northlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Its shadow has fallen on every Christmas since then.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
PermanentadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrmənənt/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Its shadow has fallen on every Christmas since then.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Never shall I forget that Christmastide.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Its shadow has fallen on every Christmas since then.
term of address for a man
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Never shall I forget that Christmastide.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Its shadow has fallen on every Christmas since then.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading And, in the innocent insolence of our hearts, we had planned such a merry one.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was the first since our marriage that we were spending at Northlands, for like dutiful folk we had hitherto spent the two or three festival days in the solid London house of Barbara's parents.
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Her father, Sir Edward Kennion, retired Permanent Secretary of a Government Office, was a courtly gentleman with a faultless taste in old china and wine, and Lady Kennion a charming old lady almost worthy of being the mother of Barbara.
