used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
highly skilled
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The other half was to be utilised as a promenade, and was hung with Chinese lanterns.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading One half the spacious verandah had been closed in with canvas, and formed a supper room.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading The other half was to be utilised as a promenade, and was hung with Chinese lanterns.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading One half the spacious verandah had been closed in with canvas, and formed a supper room.
clothing in general
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
COLONIALadjectiveUS /kəˈloʊniəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading It was decorated with flags, Nikau palms, ferns, and flowers with very pretty effect.
put on clothes
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It was decorated with flags, Nikau palms, ferns, and flowers with very pretty effect.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading It was decorated with flags, Nikau palms, ferns, and flowers with very pretty effect.
flagsnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading It was decorated with flags, Nikau palms, ferns, and flowers with very pretty effect.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading It was decorated with flags, Nikau palms, ferns, and flowers with very pretty effect.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading One half the spacious verandah had been closed in with canvas, and formed a supper room.
set up or found
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading One half the spacious verandah had been closed in with canvas, and formed a supper room.
a social unit living together
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The other half was to be utilised as a promenade, and was hung with Chinese lanterns.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was decorated with flags, Nikau palms, ferns, and flowers with very pretty effect.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading The other half was to be utilised as a promenade, and was hung with Chinese lanterns.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
Matakohe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
a form of address for a man
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
Nikau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was decorated with flags, Nikau palms, ferns, and flowers with very pretty effect.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The other half was to be utilised as a promenade, and was hung with Chinese lanterns.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
palmsnounUS /pɑːmz/
plural of “palm” — the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading It was decorated with flags, Nikau palms, ferns, and flowers with very pretty effect.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It was decorated with flags, Nikau palms, ferns, and flowers with very pretty effect.
promenadenounUS /ˌprɑːməˈneɪd/
a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year
From this reading The other half was to be utilised as a promenade, and was hung with Chinese lanterns.
puntverbUS /pʌnt/
kick the ball
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading One half the spacious verandah had been closed in with canvas, and formed a supper room.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading One half the spacious verandah had been closed in with canvas, and formed a supper room.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading One half the spacious verandah had been closed in with canvas, and formed a supper room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
in or at that place or location
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
utilisedadjective
put to use
From this reading The other half was to be utilised as a promenade, and was hung with Chinese lanterns.
verandahnoun
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading One half the spacious verandah had been closed in with canvas, and formed a supper room.
precisely as stated
From this reading We accomplished the journey in my punt, for I had by this time one of my own, and on our arrival at Mr. M----'s found the household very busy with preparations.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
at the time that
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _A COLONIAL BALL._ We had not been long settled in Matakohe when an invitation to a ball at Mr. M----'s was received, asking us to go early in the day, as the tide then suited best, to bring our evening clothes with us, and to dress there.
